€194,000 in funding for Clare under Community Monuments Fund
- Four projects to receive grants
- Funding targets archaeological heritage projects
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the allocation of €193,935 to County Clare for four individual projects, under the Community Monuments Fund.
A total of €4.2 million is being rolled out nationally to fund 139 projects; up €1 million from last year, when the fund was first established.
The main aims of the CMF are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.
“As an avid historian, I’m thrilled to see that four magnificent historic sites around Clare are receiving these grants,” said Deputy Crowe.
“Clonrush Burial Ground is the only Stream 1 project approved in Clare, with €30,351 awarded for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair or archaeological monuments.
“Under Stream 2, which looks specifically at conservation management plans for archaeological monuments and public access, Kilkerren Battery Fort near Labasheeda has been granted €29,129; Templemaley Church and Burial Ground will receive €13,478 and a sum of €29,950 will go to Kilfenora Cathedral.
“Churches and burial grounds are hugely historical places where we, and the offspring of the diaspora the world over, can trace back our family heritage centuries.
“They are fascinating places to visit but too often can fall into disrepair so this funding for Kilfenora Cathedral, Templemaley church and burial ground and the burial ground at Clonrush is hugely welcome.
“Kilkerrin Battery Fort has a very different but equally interesting history.
“The structure was built between 1811 and 1814 by British forces, one of a half dozen dotted along the Shannon Estuary, as a means to repel a threatened invasion by Napoleonic forces.
“It remained in use for much of the 19th century and later fell into disrepair but since the 1980s, there have been efforts made to restore this 200-year-old structure.
“The sum of almost €30,000 will make a significant difference to these efforts by the community of Labasheeda.
“Two projects in Clare were sadly unsuccessful in their quest to secure CMF funding but I would encourage these and any other community that feels they could benefit from this fund to start work now on having all their ducks in a row for next year.
“I look forward to visiting each of the four successful applicants for 2021 and seeing what they do with their grants.”
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