CommunityMonumentsFund2021
Ciste Comhphobail um Shéadchomharthaí
Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD has announced the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Community Monuments Fund 2021 (CMF). Part of this funding is prioritised for local authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments and the provision of any required measures to ensure safe access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CMF will invest essential capital in our valuable archaeological heritage and help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
The core aims of this 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;
- encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation;
- build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.
The Department encourages project promoters to incorporate a traditional skills training element in projects.
The Community Monuments Fund 2021 has 3 Streams:
- Stream 1 will offer grants up to €85,000 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 (including COVID 19 public health measures).
Please note that while there are between €500,000 and €1million available nation-wide in each stream, not all applications will be successful in 2021 depending on the number and quality of the applications received.
Who Can Apply?
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:
a) 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;
b) 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;
c) 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.
Please visit the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage's Historic Environment Viewer to see if your monument is included within the Record of Monuments and Places. The monuments are denoted by a red dot; click on the red dot to reveal the 13 digit monument number (LF0**-****---), the monument class (type) and a description. Please include the full monument number, including ALL hyphens in your application.
What will be funded?
Stream | Available Funding | What will be funded | Maximum Grant |
| 1 | Grants for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments. (c. €1,000,000 total available nationally under this Stream) | Essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments | 100% of eligible costs, up to €85,000 |
| 2 | Grants for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access. (€550,000 total available nationally under this Stream) | Conservation Management Plans/Reports aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improved public access | 100% of eligible costs, up to €30,000 |
| 3 | Grants for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments (including COVID-19 public health measures). (€450,000 total available nationally under this Stream) | Enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments (including COVID 19 protection measures) | 100% of eligible costs, up to €30,000 |
Eligible projects and conditions
Please read the CMF 2021 Explanatory Notice for full details.
Click here to download the PDF version.
Click here to download the 2021 application form.
How to apply
Longford County Council can shortlist between two and three projects in County Longford, within each stream for consideration by the Department.
Please download the application form and forward the application, along with any required method statements, mapping, images and costings to the Longford Heritage Office, via email at heritage@longfordcoco.ie, before Monday the 12th April 2021.
The Subject line must read: CMF2021_[Name of your Project/Monument]_Longford County Council
