Applications sought in Donegal for the Heritage Council’s Adopt a Monument Scheme

Community groups in Donegal are being encouraged to apply to join the Heritage Council’s Adopt a Monument scheme which is all about empowering local communities to become involved in the care and conservation of a much-loved local monument.

The Adopt a Monument scheme offers communities expertise, mentoring and support to help them to care for their local heritage.

Doon Fort in Ardara was ‘adopted’ by the Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group in 2016 and they have worked tirelessly since then to raise the profile of the site and the area. Doon Fort is undoubtedly one of the most spectacularly picturesque heritage sites in Ireland. It is situated on a small island in the middle of Loughadoon, just outside the charming village of Ardara in County Donegal. It is a drystone fort that is thought to have been the residence of the O’ Boyle chieftains and may date from the late Iron Age or Early Medieval period.

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The Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group secured funding from the Heritage Council and Community Monuments Fund to carry out a series of heritage and conservation projects at the site. Thanks to the tireless work of the community, stakeholders and conservation professionals, the conservation works are now almost complete ensuring that Doon Fort will be preserved for future generations.

Doon Fort is one of six heritage sites in Co. Donegal that have been accepted into the Adopt a Monument Programme over the last ten years. Other sites in Donegal accepted into the scheme include Altan Summer House, Dunlewey, Kilaghtee Church and Cross, Dunkineely, Malin Well Old Church, Kilbarron Castle, Cooley Cross and Graveyard, Moville.

Since the scheme first began in 2016, 30 groups across Ireland have ‘adopted’ monuments in their locality ranging from ring forts to 19th century industrial buildings to medieval churches as well as a Gaelic castle.

All over Ireland there is an incredible variety of heritage sites, including ancient tombs, stone circles, early monasteries, castles, churches and graveyards, landed estates, mines, kilns, mills, traditional houses and battlefields. The Adopt a Monument Scheme takes a very broad view of heritage and is open to applications from enthusiastic community groups all over Ireland to apply to the scheme to adopt a site that is important to them.

The aim is that the chosen monument will serve as a focal point for heritage-related, educational and recreational activities and will encourage greater appreciation and understanding of local heritage.

Speaking in support of the scheme Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, at the Heritage Council, said:

“The Adopt a Monument Scheme is a wonderful way of ensuring our monuments remain an integral part of a community. Maintaining them and caring for them requires much-needed expertise and resources which is exactly what the scheme provides. We can already see the positive effect the scheme has had on the areas where a monument was adopted, and the pride of place and increased civic value brought about the efforts of our dedicated community groups is very satisfying to see.”

The Heritage Council is now calling for interested groups to apply for the scheme. The closing date for applications 21st March 2025. Further information about the scheme and the application process can be found online.