Community Monuments Fund 2026 Announced
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has announced the 2026 Community Monuments Fund with €7.5 million available nationally. The fund will be administered locally by Cork City Council Archaeologist Ciara Brett.
The funding is prioritised for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments. See Historic Environment Viewer (archaeology.ie) for location map of archaeological monuments in Cork City.
Since 2020 Cork City Council has received €546,000 for projects in Cork City, which included works to Rathcooney Church, Blarney Castle, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and St Anne’s, Shandon.
The Community Monuments Fund 2026 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.
Full details of the fund are set out in the handbook.
The closing date for applications to the Local Authority is 5pm on Friday 30th January and should be submitted to archaeology@corkcity.ie
Applications will be assessed by the Local Authority in advance of being submitted to the Department. Please contact Ciara Brett, City Archaeologist, archaeology@corkcity.ie if you wish to discuss a possible project.