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Applications for funding for the conservation of archaeological monuments in County Donegal are now open.
The Community Monuments Fund offers up to €100,000 for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments (Stream 1), up to €30,000 for the development of Conservation Management Plans or reports aimed at identifying measures for the conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access (Stream 2) and up to €30,000 for enhancement of access and interpretation at archaeological monuments including on-line or virtual access (Stream 3).
The fund, which is an initiative by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage in partnership with local authorities, will remain open to applicants until 4pm on Friday, January 31.
Successful applicants will have until mid-October to complete the work and Donegal County Council's Heritage Office and County Museum will advise and support applicants in the delivery of these projects over the coming months.
Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer, explained: "The Community Monuments Fund provides 100% funding for the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments and historic sites by private owners, custodians, community groups or local authorities.
"All of the archaeological monuments funded under this scheme are protected under the National Monuments Acts. Most of the 3,400 known archaeological sites in County Donegal are in private ownership or guardianship so this scheme offers an ideal opportunity to landowners, community groups or local authorities to undertake conservation works to monuments, encourage greater access to them, improve their presentation or build resilience in monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change."
He added: "Twenty-two archaeological heritage projects in County Donegal have benefitted by over €1 million under the Community Monuments Fund since it was introduced in 2020."
Further details and application forms are available on the Donegal County Council website.
