Over €400,000 for Archaeological Heritage Projects in Cork County

Eight important archaeological heritage projects in Cork County are set to receive over €420,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund. Administered locally by Cork County Council, the fund was established in 2020 to conserve, maintain, protect, and promote local archaeological monuments and historic sites. 

The fund has several funding streams aimed at enabling conservation works on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support to improve their presentation and to build resilience in monuments, enabling them to better withstand the effects of climate change.

Successful County Cork projects include five archaeological sites owned by Cork County Council:

• Conservation works at Bandon Town Wall will receive €30,000.
• Conservation works at St. Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal will receive €100,000.
• Conservation works at Castlefreke Church of Ireland in Rathbarry will receive €30,000.
• Conservation works at Kilgullane Church and Graveyard in Fermoy Municipal District, will receive €82,396.65.
• Templebreedy Graveyard, near Crosshaven, will see improved access and signage to the sum of €29,720.

A further three important archaeological sites in the county will also receive funding.

• Conservation Works at the Castleview Mills Complex near Clonakilty will receive €100,000.
• A Conservation Management Plan for Saint Abbán's Ecclesiastical Site, Baile Bhuirne, will receive €19,680.
• Saint Colman’s Cathedral in Cloyne will benefit from a Conservation Management Plan to the sum of €30,000.

Welcoming the allocations, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn, said, 

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added,