€179,840 has been allocated from this year’s Community Monuments Fund for the preservation, maintenance and promotion of three historic Limerick sites.
Projects awarded funding under the initiative are Kilfinnane Church (€85,000), Ballynoe Castle, Bruree (€85,000) and Kilmallock Church and Graveyard (€9,840).
The funding will cover emergency conservation work, masonry repair and measures to enable the buildings withstand the effects of climate change. The provision of public access and interpretation signage, as well as social media projects highlighting the buildings’ archaeological heritage could also be included in the next phase of the project.
The core objective is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. This is particularly important in Limerick which has a significant number of outstanding examples of built heritage and archaeologically important sites.
Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan said: “The funding will help protect our wonderful archaeological heritage and make it more accessible to the many who cherish it.
“These awards help us to deliver on various commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan launched earlier this year. It will provide further supports for communities and custodians and the heritage sector, for archaeologists, conservation architects, stone masons, and other professional trades.
“These projects will also help build resilience against extreme weather and mitigate the impacts of climate change, a priority action embedded in our Climate Adaptation Plan,” he added.
