Historic Laois sites receive over €250,000 in funding

Three historic sites in Laois are set to receive over €250,000 in government funding announced to protect archaeological monuments.

Clonkeen Church & Graveyard has been awarded €120,000, Clonreher Castle received €99,824 and Baunaghra Church & Graveyard received €38,000.

They are among the 140 projects nationwide to benefit from the Community Monuments Fund.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said announced that over €7.4 million will be awarded to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future. 

“I’m delighted that 140 projects across the country will be supported under this year’s €7.4m Community Monuments Fund. Since its inception in 2020, this fund has become a lifeline for the protection of Ireland’s irreplaceable archaeological heritage by revitalising hundreds of historic monuments in cities, towns, villages and rural communities across all 31 Local Authorities," said Minister Noonan.

"Through this, it is enabling valuable investment in the wider heritage sector, creating thousands of hours of employment for specialist craftspeople and traditional skills practitioners, as well as supporting the achievement of national commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030 and the Climate Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage. I’d like to congratulate the successful applicants and wish them the very best of luck in with their projects this year.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, also welcomed the announcement:

“I am delighted that we can announce another significant number of awards under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund. This investment will help to ensure that heritage projects across the country will progress, ensuring the protection of our archaeological heritage as a community asset to be made more accessible to the public. Through this fund, we have been able to support Local Authorities and custodians in protecting our outstanding yet sensitive and vulnerable archaeological heritage.”