Community Monuments Fund 2026 - Call for Projects
The Community Monuments Fund was first established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage.
Funding is prioritised for local authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments.
Total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2026 will be €7,500,000.
The Community Monuments Fund invests in archaeological heritage and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
The impacts of climate change on our monuments is increasingly evident. With increased weathering and severe climate events, the repair cycle on built heritage is likely to become shorter. Increased maintenance and repair will be key to building resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of a changing environment.
Core Aims of the Fund
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
build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change
encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.
The Department encourages project promoters to incorporate a traditional skills training element in projects.
Streams 1-3
The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:
- 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.
Eligible Projects
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:
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
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
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.
How to Apply
Applications from landowners, land custodians and community groups within County Galway must be completed and submitted in Word Format to heritage@galwaycoco.ie, Subject Line CMF2026 (+Project Name) by 30th January 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Further Advice
For further advice for applications in the County of Galway please contact:
Bernie Doherty, Galway Community Archaeologist g.c.archaeology@gmail.com 086 1003888
Marie Mannion, Galway County Heritage Officer mmannion@galwaycoco.ie 087 9088373
Ann Marie Cusack, Architectural Conservation Officer amcusack@galwaycoco.ie 091 378924
Community Monuments Funded Projects in County Galway
Links showcasing successful projects within the County of Galway from previous years are available below
Community Archaeologist
The Galway Community Archaeologist provides advice and support relating to archaeological monuments in the community. She is available to answer your queries on maintenance, preservation, education and promotion of our diverse range of archaeology which spans over ten thousand years. Now available to liaise with educators, community groups, farmers, individuals and custodians of Galway’s archaeological heritage.
Contact: Bernadette Doherty, Carra, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Mobile: 086 100 3888
Website: https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/
Email: g.c.archaeology@gmail.com
Facebook: Galway Community Archaeology
Galway Community Archaeologist
This section includes monuments, archaeological objects, wrecks, architectural heritage, heritage gardens and parks, heritage objects and inland waterways.
Archaeology: A definition
Archaeology is the study of past societies and cultures through an assessment of the material remains left by them and the evidence of their environment. It investigates their houses, settlements and tombs and everyday implements. It seeks to understand the landscape, vegetation and climate of previous times as they affected, and were affected by, past peoples.
Monument
Includes the following, whether above or below the surface of the ground or the water and whether affixed or not affixed to the ground:
- any artificial or partly artificial building, structure or erection or group of such buildings, structures or erections,
- any cave, stone or other natural product, whether or not forming part of the ground, that has been artificially carved, sculptured or worked upon or which (where it does not form part of the place where it is) appears to have been purposely put or arranged in position,
- any, or any part of any, prehistoric or ancient tomb, grave or burial deposit, or
ritual, industrial or habitation site, and - any place comprising the remains or traces of any such building, structure or erection, any such cave, stone or natural product or any such tomb, grave, burial deposit or ritual, industrial or habitation site, situated on land or in the territorial waters of the State, but does not include any building, or part of any building, that is habitually used for ecclesiastical purposes.
Wreck
A vessel, or part of a vessel, lying wrecked on, in or under the sea bed or, on or in land covered by water, and any objects contained in or on the vessel, and any objects that were formerly contained in or on a vessel and are lying on, in or under the sea bed or on or in land covered by water.
Architectural Heritage
All structures, building, tranditional and designed, and groups of buildings including streetscapes and urban vistas, which are of historical, archaeological, artistic, engineering, scientific, social or technical interest, together with their settings, attendant grounds, fixtures, fittings and contents, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, including railways and related buildings and structures and any place comprising the remains or traces of any such railway, building or structure.
Heritage Gardens & Parks
Areas of natural heritage, and gardens and parks whose plant collections, design, design features, buildings, setting, style or association are of significant scientific, botanical, aesthetic or historical interest or which illustrate some aspect of the development of gardening or of gardens and parks.
Inland Waterways
Canals, canalised sections of rivers and lakes, navigation channels in rivers and lakes, and their associated navigational features.
Contact our Heritage Officer
Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00
Address
Heritage Officer
Galway County Council
Áras an Chontae
Prospect Hill
Co. Galway
H91 H6KX