Funding of over €159,000 announced to protect archaeological monuments in Mayo

It has been announced today that €159,827.50 will be awarded to three projects in Mayo through the 2025 Community Monuments Fund to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

First established in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change.

Nationally, 122 projects that will be awarded €7.5 million in funding under the Fund.

The CMF supports essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.

The three Mayo projects awarded funding this year include:

• Ardnaree Augustinian Abbey - €100,000

• Castleconnor - €30,000

• Lough Lannagh Castle €29,827.50

Minister Alan Dillon said: “I would like to thank Mayo County Council and especially Deirdre Cunningham, Heritage Officer and her team for all their hard work and co-operation with the National Monuments Service in rolling out and administering the Community Monuments Fund. I would also like to acknowledge the private owners as custodians of much of our archaeological heritage and I am delighted that they are able to avail of this funding.

READ MORE: Mayo crown new 'Rose' for iconic Rose of Tralee festival

“This scheme helps to build robustness in our heritage against the extremes of weather, addressing key actions in our Climate Adaptation Plan as well as under Heritage Ireland 2030. These awards also deliver jobs for the heritage sector and traditional skills craftspeople, providing thousands of hours of employment every year.”

The news that the Augustinian Abbey in Ballina is to benefit from a €100,000 investment has also been welcomed by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary.

“This is great news for Ballina and for the project to preserve Ardnaree Abbey, located beside St. Muredach’s Cathedral and follows on from an initial €30,000 investment in 2024.

“I am very grateful to my government colleagues Minister James Browne and Minister Christopher O’Sullivan for their support of this important historical project. I also want to thank Cllr Annie May Reape and Mayo County Council for their work in relation to the project to date.

“I also welcome the €30,000 for a conservation project at Castleconnor Castle on the Moy Estuary. Additionally €29,827 has been allocated to Lough Lannagh Castle.

“Congratulations to all involved in this initiative, I look forward to continuing to work with them as both projects progress.”