€329k funding to protect archaeological monuments in Louth

€329,643 in funding to protect four archaeological monuments in Louth has been announced today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the 2025 Community Monuments Fund.

The funding is part of a €7.5 million package for 122 projects nationwide, to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

In Louth, €100,000 has been allocated each to Taaffe's Castle, Bellew's Castle, and Glaspistol Towerhouse through Stream 1 of the fund, which is aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments.

A further €29,643 has been allocated to Hatch's Castle in Ardee through Stream 2, which is aimed at development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.

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Announcing the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said that "the importance of our archaeological heritage cannot be overstated and this fund has a very real and profound impact on the custodians and communities in our cities, villages, towns and countryside.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, added that “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.”