Donegal receives Heritage Council funding for 17 projects

Donegal has received €356,065 in funding for seventeen heritage initiatives.

The funding was awarded by The Heritage Council to community groups throughout the county under its Community Heritage Grants Scheme. This annual grants scheme aims to support projects that improve access and inclusion to heritage sites and that apply good heritage practice to the management of places, collections, objects and buildings.

“Although this countrywide scheme is very competitive, seventeen Donegal-based heritage projects out of a total of 123 countrywide will be funded this year representing about 19% of the funding available nationally,” Donegal’s Heritage Officer, Joseph Gallagher said. “Best conservation practice and local community engagement are essential features of any project.”

The heritage initiatives that will benefit from the allocated funding are: The Kilcar Heritage Committee will receive €25,000 for conservation works at St Matthew’s Church; Kilbarron Church Conservation Group will get €24,998 for conservation works to Kilbarron Church; The Follies Trust has been allocated €25,000 for conservation works to Reynolds’ Folly near Ballyshannon; Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group will be given €25,000 for conservation stabilisation of the wall head and parapet on Doon Fort; and Donegal Railway Heritage Museum will get a share of €7,813 for the interactive map.

St Matthew's Church, Kilcar

Milford and District Resource CLG is set to receive €25,000 for conservation works to the roof of the former Presbyterian Church building; Raphoe Masonic Lodge will get €9,500 for conservation repair works to the Raphoe Masonic Lodge; St Mary’s Parish Committee has got €25,000) for conservation repairs to St Mary’s Church in Ramelton; Inver Heritage Group have been allocated €25,000 for conservation works to St Naul’s Church in Inver.

Inishowen Maritime Museum is set to receive €23,000 for a conservation plan and works to the Old Coastguard Station in Greencastle; Moville Tidy Towns has been allocated €18,725 for a conservation management plan for Cooley historic graveyard near Moville; and Moville Community Complex Development Company will be given €24,999 for a community-led conservation management plan for the historic core of Moville. 

Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle

Cairde na hEaragaile will receive €25,000 for a conservation plan for, and repair works to Altan Farm Summer House in Dunlewey; Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair are in for €6,826 for a conservation management plan for the old church and historic graveyard at Machaire Gathlán; Teach Pobail Mhuire Gaoth Dobhair will receive €25,000 for a conservation plan and feasibility study for Derrybeg Old Church; Donegal Famine Heritage Centre will get a share of €18,142 for conservation works to Dunfanaghy Workhouse; and Clonbeg Heritage Group has been allocated €22,062 for a conservation management plan for the historic church and graveyard site in Clonbeg Glebe near Creeslough. 

“It is fantastic to see the remarkable level of activity and engagement from heritage groups in Donegal under our Community Heritage Grant Scheme again this year,” Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said. “The range of projects awarded funding is a testament to their commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich heritage, and to the work of Donegal’s Heritage Officer, Joseph Gallagher.”

Joseph Gallagher added: “The success of local heritage groups and local communities in securing funding under the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme is impressive and is evidence of the strength of the heritage sector in County Donegal. Continued investment in our built, natural, cultural and intangible heritage is important. Our heritage reinforces our sense of place and identity, attracts visitors, supports jobs and sustains local communities. The Community Heritage Grant Scheme provides necessary support for local community groups and heritage professionals involved in the conservation, promotion and enhancement of our heritage.”