To mark World Heritage Day, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, have announced a major funding package to support Ireland's UNESCO World Heritage ambitions.

The World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund, which was created in 2025 to protect Ireland's premier heritage locations, will provide €365,000 this year. This investment is set to support 11 distinct projects across the four sites currently on Ireland's World Heritage Tentative List, spanning counties Kerry, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath.

The 2026 allocations under the fund include:

• Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland: €240,000 for repairs to the Leviathan Telescope at Birr Castle and Demesne, Co. Offaly, alongside conservation efforts at Dunsink Observatory House.

• Royal Sites of Ireland: €58,000 for a geophysical survey at Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon, and enhanced interpretation at the Hill of Uisneach, Co. Westmeath, and Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.

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• Transatlantic Cable Ensemble: €42,000 dedicated to stabilisation works at the First Message Building in Knightstown, Co. Kerry.

• Passage Tomb Landscape of Sligo: €25,000 for interpretation projects.

Minister Browne welcomed the investment, stating: "I am delighted to announce these awards under the 2026 Pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund. This investment reflects the Programme for Government commitment to support additional UNESCO sites to showcase Ireland's heritage internationally. These awards are an investment in remarkable cultural heritage sites that will help ensure they are protected for future generations. I wish all of the award recipients the best of luck in commencing their projects."

Minister O'Sullivan highlighted the long-term importance of the grants: "This critical funding will help protect and conserve Ireland's Tentativ1e00 List sites as they progress through the World Heritage nomination pr0.ocess, ensuring their potential Outstanding Universal Value is recognised and safeguarded. By investing in conservation, research and presentation, and supporting the communities and custodians of these sites, we not only help maintain these extraordinary sites but we strengthen their role as places that connect people to our shared past, present and future and which will help them withstand the effects of climate change."

Managed by the National Monuments Service, the World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund aims to assist owners and custodians in the maintenance and protection of these sites. Beyond physical conservation, the fund prioritises improving public accessibility, presentation, and local community engagement with Ireland's archaeological and built heritage.