Donegal County Council invites applications for Community Monuments Fund

Donegal County Council has invited applications to be submitted as part of the Community Monuments Fund, aimed at conserving archaeological monuments. 

Funding of up to €100,000 is available for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments, with the deadline for applications to be submitted being Friday, January 30. 

Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer, said: “Eighteen archaeological monuments in County Donegal have benefited by over €1.17 million under the Community Monuments Fund since it was introduced in 2020.

“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. 

READ NEXT: National property survey shows 15% rise in three-bed Donegal house cost

“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.”

If you are the owner or guardian of an archaeological monument or historic site, or are involved with a community group that would like to conserve your local archaeological heritage, advice is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office by email at cmf@donegalcoco.ie or by telephone on 074 917 2576.