Eight archaeological heritage projects in Cork County are set to receive over €420,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund.

Managed by Cork County Council, the fund was set up in 2020 to preserve, upkeep, safeguard and showcase local archaeological landmarks and historical locations. The fund has several funding streams aimed at enabling conservation works on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support to improve their presentation and to build resilience in monuments, enabling them to better withstand the effects of climate change.

Successful County Cork projects include five archaeological sites owned by Cork County Council:

•Conservation works at Bandon Town Wall will receive €30,000.

•Conservation works at St. Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal will receive €100,000.

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•Conservation works at Castlefreke Church of Ireland in Rathbarry will receive €30,000.

•Conservation works at Kilgullane Church and Graveyard in Fermoy Municipal District, will receive €82,396.65.

•Templebreedy Graveyard, near Crosshaven, will see improved access and signage to the sum of €29,720.

A further three important archaeological sites in the county will also receive funding, including:

•Conservation Works at the Castleview Mills Complex near Clonakilty will receive €100,000.

•A Conservation Management Plan for Saint Abbán's Ecclesiastical Site, Baile Bhuirne, will receive €19,680.

•Saint Colman's Cathedral in Cloyne will benefit from a Conservation Management Plan to the sum of €30,000.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O'Flynn, stated:

"Since it first commenced in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund has supported some excellent projects in County Cork. Not only does the scheme support the upkeep of the county’s precious archaeological heritage, it also encourages local groups to get involved. The awarding of over €400,000 under this year’s scheme will support some excellent projects."

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O'Sullivan, said:

"This year's Community Monuments Fund allocation for eight different projects hints at the depth of archaeological heritage in the county, supporting projects from churches and to an industrial mill complex amongst others. Since 2020, the county has seen an investment of over €1.33 million through the scheme and it will continue to support the preservation of some 19,000 archaeological monuments in the County of Cork."