Laois projects secure over €150,000 in funding

Over €150,000 has been allocated to four Laois heritage projects. 

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan announced the funding, part of €8 million for 140 archaeological heritage projects nationally being delivered under the Department’s Community Monuments Fund for 2023. 

This year’s fund represents an increase on last year’s allocation and includes €153,040 being awarded to four projects in Laois.

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection, and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.

In Laois €43,241 in funding under Stream 1 for Baunaghra Church and  €60,300 for Dysart Enos Church. 

Stream 1 funding offers grants of up to €100,000 that are aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments. 

Laois projects approved under Steam 2 are €21,710 in funding for Clonkeen Church and Graveyard and €27,789 for Ballyadden Medieval Church and Graveyard. 

Stream 2 covers grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.

The latest allocation was welcomed by Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming.

“The main aims of the Community Monuments Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. It has a number of funding streams aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to monuments and improve their presentation also to build resilience in monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change,” he said. 

The funding was also welcomed by Minister Pippa Hackett. 

“I am aware that over the next few months, work projects at sites from Killeigh Chapter House in Offaly, to Clonkeen Church and Graveyard in Laois and  St Owen's Church, Ballymore in Westmeath will be underway to ensure a high quality of work within timeframes. My sincere thanks to all concerned – your work conserves our heritage, provides employment and builds a pride of place across our communities,” she said. 

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No projects in Laois were awarded funding under the third funding stream, which was aimed at improving access to sites, as part of the €8 million announcement.