Two Galway City-based projects will avail of a share of €250k from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Community Monuments Fund.

Funds to the value of €130,000 will be invested in Menlough Castle, while €120,000 is to be invested in St Nicholas' Collegiate Church. The funding will be used for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repairs at both structures.

Describing the proposed works, Brendan Dunne, Senior Executive Planner, said: "Menlough Castle is an iconic landmark on the river Corrib, once home to the Blake family until it was destroyed by fire in the early 20th century. Significant works were undertaken to conserve the castle in recent years, with the allocated €130,000 funding supporting consolidation and repair works to the internal spine wall, and the commencement of works to the distinctive East 'front' façade, including repairs to the impressive windows.

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"Likewise St Nicholas' Collegiate Church is 'a church in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart' – and a place of considerable historical significance for the people of Galway for over 700 years, as the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship. This €120,000 funding will support the completion of repairs to east wall of the South transept, which has been ongoing over the last number of years; in additional external repairs to the belfry tower will be undertaken."

The total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2025 will be €7.5 million. Applications were assessed on the basis of:

• The significance of the archaeological monument;

• The effectiveness of the proposed project in achieving the aims of the fund;

• The quality of the methodology and technical merit of the proposed project;

• The broader public or community benefit.

Two out of a total of 23 successful 'Stream 1' projects were based in Galway City. Read more on the Community Monuments Fund.