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Heritage & Communities

Galway County Heritage Office works proactively with individuals, communities and schools in assisting them to raise awareness of their built, natural and cultural heritage assets; to increase knowledge of local heritage and to undertake projects to best heritage practice. In addition to this the Heritage Office works in partnership (depending on resources) with heritage groups on a wide range of local heritage initiatives. The Community Archaeologist provides advice, guidance and assistance to individuals, communities and schools on a wide range of archaeological heritage issues and projects. Some of the community projects the Heritage Office is involved in include the following: Galway Beo, Tuke Emigration Scheme, Golden Mile of Galway Project, Athenry Walled Towns Day, Loughrea Medieval Festival, the digital mapping of graveyards, development of heritage audits and Féile na gClogh.

Community Monuments Fund 2025

CMF 25 Information Workshop

Join us on ZOOM December 18th 2024 at 10am if you propose to apply for Community Monuments Funding 2025. We will go through the application form and answer any queries you may have.

Link to Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83451256031?pwd=RTqx5YYX0YRjhkR0Qq2OIk6tMjtT8q.1

Meeting ID: 834 5125 6031
Passcode: 032316

Community Monuments Fund

The Community Monuments Fund was established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage. This funding is prioritised for Local Authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments.

Total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2025 will be €7,400,000.

The Community Monuments Fund is investing essential capital in our archaeological heritage to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. The impacts of climate change on our monuments are increasingly evident. With increased weathering and severe climate events, the repair cycle on built heritage is becoming shorter. Increased maintenance and repair are key to building resilience in monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of a changing environment.

The core aims of the Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments.

It will: enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change; encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

Traditional Skills Training :

The Department encourages projects to incorporate a traditional skills training element. This is to help preserve traditional building and craft skills that are of benefit in the conservation of archaeological monuments and to build capacity in the sector. Training may be recommended where there is a gap in traditional skill sets available. This may include, for example, training and upskilling in traditional masonry and use of lime mortars, dry stone walling, roofing, thatching, joinery and ironwork etc. The application shall be clear as to who is to receive the training and who will provide the training. It should be demonstrated that training providers have appropriate accreditation.

Who Can Apply?

The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to: (i) Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended); (ii) Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.

Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories: a) projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated; b) projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit; c) projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.

If you have any questions please contact:

Marie Mannion,

Heritage Officer

Phone 087 9088387

email mmannion@galwaycoco.ie

Bernie Doherty,

Galway Community Archaeologist

Phone 086 1003888

email g.c.archaeology@gmail.com

Ann Marie Cusack,

Architectural Conservation Officer

Phone 091 378924