More than €190,000 has been secured for five Laois projects under the Community Monuments Fund.
Ballylynan church and graveyard has received the highest alocation with €85,000 while €34,555.70 is going to Dysart Enos Church in Portlaoise.
€12,093 has been alocated to Baunaghra Church which is near Rathdowney while €29,784.16 is going to Ballyadams Castle – and another €29,000 is off to Clonreher Castle which is in Portlaoise.
The funding has been welcomed by Fine Gael deputy for Laois/Offaly, Charlie Flanagan.
He said that the core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.
Deputy Flanagan said: “The remarkable impact and success of the Community Monuments Fund is a result of the close working relationship between the National Monuments Service and Local Authorities.
“Also the archaeologists, conservation officers, heritage officers and planning and administrative staff and partnership with communities – showcasing their valuable role in protecting and promoting Ireland’s heritage.
“It is very important that such support is shown for our archaeological heritage.”
Deputy Sean Fleming said: “I would like to acknowledge the work completed by everyone involved in their successful applications to secure funding to safeguard our archaeological monuments and look forward to works commencing as soon as possible.
“This is an invaluable source of Government funds which will enable these projects to be carried out.”
Minister Pippa Hackett added: “There are 5 projects included in today’s announcement of the Community Monument’s Fund 2022 recipients.
“This is funding allocated by my colleague, Minister Malcolm Noonan in the Department of Heritage to safeguard the futures of significant monuments in partnership with Local Authorities. Thanks to the hard work of the Heritage team in the Council.
“Ballylynan Church & Graveyard (Rahin) will receive €85,000 and Dysart Enos Church, Portlaoise will receive €34,555.70 for essential repairs and conservation works.
“Baunaghra Church, south-west of Rathdowney, Ballyadams Castle, north-west of Ballylinan and Clonreher Castle, north-west of Portlaoise will receive over €12,000, €29,000 and €29,000 respectively for conservation management and public access planning.
“Our built heritage is adversely affected by climate change and I am glad to see that my colleague Minister Malcolm Noonan and the Department of Heritage recognises the need to mitigate against this.
“Today’s funding will help to conserve buildings of archaeological importance and to improve public access to them for future generations in lovely Laois.”
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