Under the July Jobs Stimulus Package announced recently, additional capital funding has been identified for investment in our archaeological heritage by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Part of this funding is prioritised for local authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites and the provision of any required measures to ensure safe access during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Total funding available nationally for projects under a new Community Monuments Fund in 2020 will be €900,000.
The Community Monuments Fund will invest essential capital in our valuable archaeological heritage and help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
The impacts of climate change on our monuments is increasingly evident. With increased weathering and severe climate events, the repair cycle on built heritage is likely to become shorter. Increased
maintenance and repair will be key to building resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of a changing environment.
Aims of the Fund
The core aims of this Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of local monuments and historic sites. It will:
– enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support;
– encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation;
– build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change;
The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:
1. Stream 1 will offer grants up to €100,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments.
2. Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of monuments and improved public access.
3. Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure (including COVID protection) and interpretation at archaeological monuments.
Private applicants or community groups who are the owners or custodians of monuments should:
o complete Form CMF-A below (relevant sections only)
o attach a comprehensive Method Statement
o submit to Laois County Council before the 17 September 2020.
Each Local Authority may shortlist up to 4 projects in Stream 1 for consideration by DCHG.
Please note: parts of Form A must be completed by the Local Authority before submission to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Community groups or private owners should complete only the relevant sections and submit to Heritage@laoiscoco.ie by 17th September.
Please contact the Heritage Officer with any queries, email heritage@laoiscoco.ie.