RFAs: Community Monuments Fund 2025 (Ireland)

The Community Monuments Fund was established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage. This funding is prioritised for Local Authorities, State-funded organisations, private owners, custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments.

The Community Monuments Fund is investing essential capital in their archaeological heritage to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

Aims

• The core aims of the Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. It will:
  • enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support;
  • build resilience in their monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change;
  • encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

Funding Information

• The total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2025 will be €7.4 million.
• Local authorities, private owners, community groups and custodians of monuments are eligible to apply under the following 3 streams:
  • Stream 1: Grants up to €100,000 for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments.
  • Stream 2: Grants of up to €30,000 for the Development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports and detailed Specification of Works aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
  • Stream 3: Grants of up to €30,000 for the enhancement of access infrastructure, interpretation projects (including virtual/online) and small scale emergency conservation works at archaeological monuments.

Ineligible Projects

• The following will not be eligible for funding:
  • Projects or elements of projects where works have already commenced prior to grant award.
  • New builds or extensions.
  • Works not in accordance with sound archaeological and conservation methodology and practice.
  • Purchase of land or buildings.
  • Works associated with conservation, maintenance, interpretation and access to National Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage managed by the Office of Public Works (unless prior agreements are in place).

Eligibility Criteria

• The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:
  • Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended);
  • Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.
• Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories:
  • projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated;
  • projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit;
  • projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.

For more information, visit Wicklow County Council.