Nearly €500,000 granted for four heritage projects in Laois

Almost €500,000 has been granted to protect archaeological monuments in County Laois.

The Community Monuments Fund will invest €484,149 in four heritage projects across the county. 

The grants aim to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future and improve access.

These grants offer a further boost to protecting Laois' heritage sites as fifteen historic buildings in the county were allocated funding in January under the Build Heritage Investment Scheme for 2026.

That scheme saw an allocation of €195,000 for projects such as the Timahoe Heritage Centre and the Old Barracks in Clonaslee. 

The four projects awarded funding by the Community Monuments Fund include Clonreher Castle, Tankardstown Church, Tubberboe Church Ruins and Ballyadams Castle.

READ NEXT: Speeding problems persist on busy Portlaoise street despite ramps

Tankardstown Church will receive the largest allocation of funds, totalling €130,000. Following very closely behind, Clonreher Castle will receive a grant of €129,823.

Ballyadams Castle will get €124,326 and €100,000 will go towards the Tubberboe Church Ruins.

Laois TD Sean Fleming has welcomed the announcement of the funding for Laois' heritage sites.

Commenting on the news, Deputy Fleming said: "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the individuals and community groups who have stepped up to care for these local monuments and volunteered their time, energy, and enthusiasm to ensure their conservation.

"I wish all four of the award recipients the best of luck in rolling out their projects and I look forward to seeing the progress in the coming months."

The Laois TD concluded: "These historic and archaeological monuments are a part of our history and heritage. It is important that our generation protect and make safe these buildings for future generations."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme