Archaeological heritage sites in Athlone and Ballymore awarded grant funding

Archaeological heritage projects in Athlone and Ballymore were among eight in Westmeath to be awarded a total of €530,000 in grants from the Government's Community Monuments Fund.

The funding, announced this morning (Thursday), included an allocation of €120,000 for St Owen's Church, Ballymore, and €100,000 that was listed for "Court Devinish" in Athlone.

Specific details about these projects, and what the money will be spent on, were not immediately available.

St Owen's Church also received funding through the Community Monuments Fund last year, when it was awarded €85,000.

The other Westmeath funding recipients included €100,000 for Monasset Tower House, near Rahugh, to the south west of Tyrellspass.

Templecross Church, near Ballynacarrigy, was awarded €100,000, while €30,000 went to Castlelost Church and Graveyard, €29,647 was awarded for Kilpatrick Church, €21,340 went to Culleenmore Towerhouse, and €30,000 was granted for St Feichin's Well and Mill.

The funding allocations were welcomed by Westmeath Minister of State Peter Burke.

"I am delighted to get confirmation from Minister Malcom Noonan today that over €530,000 has been awarded to successful projects in Westmeath as part of the Community Monuments Fund for 2023," said the Fine Gael TD from Mullingar.

The Community Monuments Fund was first established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland's archaeological heritage and to safeguard historic sites into the future.

"This Fund is a vital lifeline for heritage projects that need conservation works. Under this grant scheme, there is also funding that facilitates the preparation of conservation plans, which sets the blueprint for action on a project.

"Funding can also be ringfenced towards improving access to archaeological monuments which is so important to open up sites to locals and visitors alike," said Minister of State Burke.