Four archaeological monuments in County Donegal are to benefit from funding under the 2025 Community Monuments Fund, with a total allocation of €207,686 to support conservation, maintenance, accessibility and interpretation works at some of the county’s most significant historic sites.
The Community Monuments Fund is an initiative of the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, delivered in partnership with local authorities including Donegal County Council.
This year’s funding will assist with essential repairs, the development of conservation management plans, and projects that build resilience in monuments to withstand climate change.
It will also support efforts to improve public access and deepen understanding of Donegal’s rich archaeological heritage. The successful applicants in Donegal for 2025 are:
Ballyshannon Regeneration Group for essential repairs and conservation of Assaroe Abbey ruins, Ballyshannon (€100,000);
Donegal GAP Heritage and History CLG for the completion of the stabilisation of the wall top walkway, rebuilding and stabilisation of parapet at Doon Fort, Portnoo (€50,960.75);
Committee for the Preservation of Finner Graveyard, Bundoran for the preparation of a conservation management plan and the cutting back of vegetation from church ruins by hand to allow for the identification of conservation issues and risks (€28,331.10); and
Dunkineely Community CLG for the conservation and renovation of four wrought-iron gates and supporting pillars at the Old Killaghtee Churchyard, St. John’s Point (€28,395).
“The 100% funding secured under the Community Monuments Fund provides essential support to community groups, custodians and landowners across the county who are committed to preserving and promoting our remarkable archaeological heritage” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“All of the archaeological monuments funded under this scheme are protected under the National Monuments Acts. This scheme offers vital assistance to care for Donegal’s archaeological monuments – many of which are located in remote or vulnerable landscapes – while also encouraging greater public access and resilience in the face of climate change.
“The scale of the challenge facing the protection and conservation of our archaeological monuments in County Donegal is highlighted by the fact that there were twelve applications from County Donegal to the Community Monuments Fund this year seeking in excess of €730,000. Since its inception in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund has supported 26 projects in County Donegal with cumulative funding of over €1,200,000.”
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan T.D., said “As we approach World Heritage Day, the International Day for Monuments and Sites, on Friday 18 April, I am thrilled to announce 122 awards worth €7.5 million under the 2025 Community Monuments Fund.
“This vital initiative not only preserves our rich heritage but also strengthens the connection between our communities and their history creating opportunities for education and tourism. Since this fund was first introduced in 2020, it has invested €25.5 million in communities nationwide. It is now a bedrock of our support for archaeological heritage across the country helping conserve buildings as varied as churches, round towers, castles, forts, barracks and abbeys.
“This scheme helps to build robustness in our heritage against the extremes of weather, addressing key actions in our Climate Adaptation Plan as well as under Heritage Ireland 2030. These awards also deliver jobs for the heritage sector and traditional skills craftspeople, providing thousands of hours of employment every year. The quality of applications for the fund for 2025 has been extraordinary and I wish all of the award recipients, including the many spearheaded by local communities, the best of luck in rolling out their projects.”
All capital works and reports funded under the scheme must be completed by early October 2025.
Donegal County Council’s Heritage Office and County Museum will provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the delivery of their projects. If you would like to find out what known archaeological monuments are in your area or on your property, you can consult the National Monuments Service website at www.archaeology.ie
Advance consent for any works to, or in the vicinity of, an archaeological monument must be obtained from the National Monuments Service.
If you are the owner or guardian of an archaeological monument or historic site or are involved with a community group that would like to conserve your local archaeological heritage, advice is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie or on (074) 917 2576.
Pictured above: Funding under the Community Monuments Fund will allow Donegal GAP Heritage & History Group to complete conservation repairs to Doon Fort, a Western Stone Fort and an archaeological monument in Loughadoon near Portnoo.
