The Heritage Council has awarded €58,500 in funding for thirteen heritage initiatives in County Donegal to groups and individuals throughout the county. “The Heritage Council grants programme is a very significant and prestigious source of funding for heritage initiatives in County Donegal,” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Between 2006 and 2012, heritage projects in County Donegal received over €1 million in funding from The Heritage Council. The announcement of Heritage Council funding for 13 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. With limited heritage funding available at a national level at present, Heritage Council funding often provides the only opportunity to address the many great heritage initiatives emerging at the local level.”
Under the heritage management grants scheme, The Heritage Council awarded funding for conservation reports on the Cooperage in Burtonport by the Burtonport Heritage Group, St. Mary’s Old Church in Derrybeg, the Ballyshannon Workhouse by the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group and a conservation plan for Ned’s Point Fort in Inishowen by the Swilly Marine & Heritage Exploration Centre. Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille was awarded funding for the preparation of conservation specifications for the repair of the nineteenth-century coastal signal tower at Carrigan Head, Sliabh Liag and the Creevy & District Community Development Cooperative Society secured funding for the Kilbarron Castle Conservation Project near Ballyshannon. Funding was also awarded for conservation works to New Park House in Moville, the repair of the Templecrone Church boundary wall near Maghery and a survey of the historic graveyard, emergency repair work to the fifteenth-century Ballysaggart Franciscan Friary by the Ballysaggart Church Restoration Committee, repairs to Fannet Presbyterian Church in Kerrykeel and conservation works to St. Catherine’s Church and graveyard in Killybegs by the Killybegs History & Heritage Committee. BirdWatch Ireland was awarded funding for the management of corncrakes in Donegal and Mayo, and the Ardara Men’s Shed secured funding for the restoration of a hand-weaving loom.
The Heritage Council received a total of 329 grant applications from all over Ireland for 2014 of which 144 projects will receive funding this year. The funding announced for 2014 represents an improvement from last year when The Heritage Council was not able to offer a grants scheme due to budgetary cutbacks. In 2014, the Heritage Council will allocate approximately €653,000 under the Heritage Council Grants Programme to 144 heritage projects across Ireland focussed on conservation works. Recent research found that every €1 million spent in grants by The Heritage Council supported 70 jobs directly and 300 jobs across a range of related sectors. Research also shows that every €1 spent by the Heritage Council generated over €4 for the Irish tourism industry.
Further information on the Heritage Council Grants Programme is available on The Heritage Council website at: www.heritagecouncil.ie/grants and advice on applications is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office of Donegal County Council.
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