The Heritage Council has awarded €356,065 in funding to community groups for seventeen heritage initiatives around Donegal.
The money was awarded under its Community Heritage Grants Scheme.
The successful Donegal projects were: the Kilcar Heritage Committee (€25,000) for conservation works to St. Matthew’s Church in Kilcar (main pic); Kilbarron Church Conservation Group (24,9980) for conservation works to Kilbarron Church; The Follies Trust (€25,000) for conservation works to Reynolds’ Folly near Ballyshannon; Inishowen Maritime Museum (€23,000) for a conservation plan and works to the Old Coastguard Station in Greencastle; Donegal Famine Heritage Centre (€18,142) for conservation works to Dunfanaghy Workhouse; Donegal GAP Heritage & History Group (€25,000) for conservation stabilisation of the wall head and parapet on Doon Fort; Donegal Railway Heritage Museum (€7,813) for the Donegal Railway Interactive Map; Moville Tidy Towns (€18,725) for a conservation management plan for Cooley historic graveyard near Moville; Milford & District Resource CLG (€25,000) for conservation works to the roof of the former Presbyterian Church building in Milford; Raphoe Masonic Lodge (€9,500) for conservation repair works to the Raphoe Masonic Lodge (below).
Raphoe Masonic Hall.
Inver Heritage Group (€25,000) for conservation works to St. Naul’s Church in Inver; Cairde na hEaragaile (€25,000) for a conservation plan for, and repair works to, Altan Farm Summer House in Dunlewey; Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair (€6,826) for a conservation management plan for the old church and historic graveyard at Machaire Gathlán (below); Moville Community Complex Development Company (€24,999) for a community-led conservation management plan for the historic core of Moville; Teach Pobail Mhuire Gaoth Dobhair (€25,000) for a conservation plan and feasibility study for Derrybeg Old Church; Clonbeg Heritage Group (€22,062) for a conservation management plan for the historic church and graveyard site in Clonbeg Glebe near Creeslough; and St. Mary’s Parish Committee (€25,000) for conservation repairs to St. Mary’s Church in Ramelton.
The old church ruins and graveyard in Machaire Gathlán.
The aim of this annual grants scheme is to support projects that improve access and inclusion to heritage sites and that apply good heritage practice to the management of places, collections, objects and buildings.
“The success of local heritage groups and local communities in securing funding under the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme is impressive and is evidence of the strength of the heritage sector in County Donegal” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“Continued investment in our built, natural, cultural and intangible heritage is important. Our heritage reinforces our sense of place and identity, attracts visitors, supports jobs and sustains local communities. The Community Heritage Grant Scheme provides necessary support for local community groups and heritage professionals involved in the conservation, promotion and enhancement of our heritage. Although this countrywide scheme is very competitive, 17 Donegal-based heritage projects out of a total of 123 countywide will be funded this year representing about 19% of the funding available nationally. Best conservation practice and local community engagement are essential features of any project.”
Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said “It is fantastic to see the remarkable level of activity and engagement from heritage groups in Donegal under our Community Heritage Grant Scheme again this year. The range of projects awarded funding is a testament to their commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich heritage, and to the work of Donegal’s Heritage Officer, Joseph Gallagher. This year’s projects promise significant positive benefits to heritage across the county, most notably the conservation, repair and restoration of historically and culturally significant buildings and sites, and the development of digital interpretation mapping of heritage sites. These initiatives not only safeguard our past but also ensure its accessibility and understanding for future generations.”
If your group would like to start preparing an application to the grant scheme in 2025, advice is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office of Donegal County Council on (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie
