The Heritage Council has awarded €82,200 in funding for eighteen heritage initiatives in County Donegal to groups and individuals throughout the county. “The Community Heritage Grants Scheme supports projects that promote conservation, appreciation and enjoyment of our built, cultural and natural heritage,” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“The announcement of Heritage Council funding for 18 heritage projects in local communities in County Donegal this year is most welcome and much needed. As well as helping to retain important aspects of our heritage, these projects support jobs, generate revenue, foster interest and pride in our heritage, help to attract visitors and raise awareness of the built, cultural and natural heritage around us.”
Under the Community Heritage Grants Scheme, The Heritage Council awarded funding for conservation works to Templecrone Church by the Maghery Heritage Group, St. Catherine’s Church by Killybegs History & Heritage Committee, Rathmullan Abbey by Donegal County Council, St. Columba’s Church in Straid by the St. Columba’s Conservation Group, the Pilot’s Cottage in Dundoan by Eddie Kelly and Kilbarron Castle by the Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group. St. John’s Church of Ireland in Stranorlar received funding for the restoration of some of its cast-iron windows. Forbairt Dhún Lúiche received funding for the conservation, interpretation and promotion of Sraith na Cille archaeological site in Dunlewey while the Sligo Institute of Technology in association with the Direct Heritage Group will be continuing its conservation efforts at the archaeological complex at Disert in the Bluestack mountains.
The Ardara GAP Heritage & History Group will be commissioning geophysical, photogrammetry and topographical surveys of Doon Fort. Ballyshannon Regeneration Group will be undertaking an interpretation project in relation to the paupers’ graveyard in Ballyshannon and Dunfanaghy Tidy Towns have received funding for a wildlife information project. Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter will be carrying out essential repairs to historic buildings using traditional buildings skills and materials. BirdWatch Ireland has received support for its Tory Island Breeding Bird Project. Ealain na Gaeltachta Teo. will be exploring the role of heritage in the arts while Lands of Eogain will be investigating the role of women in Inishowen heritage and folklore. Oideas Gael will be recording landscape changes in the western valleys of the Glencolmcille parish and Mary Kerrigan will be undertaking a cross-border project entitled ‘Derry & Donegal Heritage Landscapes Alive’.
The Heritage Council received a total of 429 grant applications from all over Ireland for 2017 of which 196 projects will receive funding this year. In 2017, the Heritage Council will allocate approximately €803,000 under the Heritage Council Grants Programme to 196 heritage projects across Ireland focussed on conservation works. Speaking about the grant awards, Michael Parsons Heritage Council Acting Chairman commented “the Community Grants Scheme continues to be a hugely popular initiative, and while we weren’t able to support all of the projects which applied, I am very pleased that so many projects across the country will benefit from support. These projects contribute to local economies, improve our tourism product and give people the opportunity to contribute to their local community. In addition they help keep important parts of our heritage alive.”
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys said “I am delighted that my Department is in a position to support these very worthwhile schemes which provide a boost to heritage groups and projects around the country. I am a great believer in the importance of supporting local heritage projects, which play such an important role in community life in every county nationwide. I would like to commend the communities which have been successful in securing funding; it’s a competitive process and being selected is a clear reflection of a top quality project. Through the Action Plan for Rural Development, I will be prioritising increased funding for heritage projects which have such a positive and tangible impact on our rural towns and villages.”
Further information on the Heritage Council Grants Programme is available on The Heritage Council website at: www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding and advice on applications is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office of Donegal County Council.
Select an option below
