€7.5 million available to protect archaeological monuments in 2026 Community Monuments Fund
- Foilsithe: 8 Nollaig 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 8 Nollaig 2025
- Applications now open for 2026
- €7.5 million in funding being provided to protect archaeological monuments
- Approximately 120 projects set to benefit nationwide
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, have today launched the 2026 Community Monuments Fund.
Next year’s fund will invest €7.5 million to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future. It is estimated that the funding for 2026 will support approximately 120 projects nationwide. To date, the fund has been awarded to over 740 projects across Ireland.
Commenting on today’s launch, Minister Browne said:
"We are very pleased to announce the Community Monuments Fund for 2026. Our archaeological monuments are a great source of pride for local areas. We must protect them for all to enjoy long into the future and prevent them from falling into disrepair and this fund provides financial support for that protection. The broader heritage sector, including local authority heritage teams, are leaders in identifying monuments that could benefit from this funding. I encourage owners and custodians of such monuments to make contact with your local authority to find out more about applying.”
Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan added:
“The €7.5m for the 2026 Community Monuments Fund that we are announcing today is an investment in communities as much as it is in the protection and preservation of our archaeological monuments. I have seen for myself how these projects can bring people together around a shared goal to conserve and celebrate their heritage, and the positive impact it can have at the local level. As Minister for Heritage, I want to support communities to protect our national monuments as living reminders of our history that can be cherished for generations to come.”
The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. The scheme has three streams to support these aims:
- Stream 1 will offer grants up to €100,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
- Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
- Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments.
This scheme is administered by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Authorities. Interested parties should contact the relevant Local Authority to enquire about applications. The closing date for applications for the 2026 round of grants is 13 February 2026.
ENDS
Link to call for projects and associated documentation: Community Monuments Fund - Call for Projects
Previous projects funded by the Community Monuments Fund include conservation works to stabilise Cloyne Round Tower in Cork, Templecross Church in Westmeath and Fethard Castle in Wexford. Conservation Management Plans for Christ Church Cathedral and Saint Patricks Cathedral in Dublin and Enniscrone Castle in Sligo have also been funded by this scheme and enhanced visitor access and interpretation at Abbeygormican church ruins and Tuam Market High Cross, Galway and St. Carthage's Cathedral Lismore, Waterford have also been supported through the CMF.