Funding for preservation of historic Westmeath monuments

Seven archaeological monuments are set to benefit from an allocation of €371,830 awarded to protect historic structures in Westmeath.

The grants under the Community Monuments Fund will see conservation works at Castlelost Church located near Rochfortbridge enter phase two, while Kilptatrick Church near Collinstown and Carrick Castle near Multyfarnham also enter phase two.

Funding has also been secured for interpretation and access at Templecross Church near Tristernagh, where conservation works were completed last year, while the allotment will ensure the preparation of a conservation plan for the Wayside crosses in and around Fore.

The final monument to be supported is the old Abbey Graveyard in Athlone. The Westmeath allocations include: Castlelost Church €126,914; Carrick Castle €29,827.50; Old Abbey Graveyard Franciscan Friary €26,691; Templecross Church Access €30,000.

A Westmeath County Council spokesperson said: “This is good news for continuing works needed to stabilise Castlelost Church and Kilpatrick Church and for all the projects awarded funding in 2025”.

This is part of a national plan to invest €7.5 million to protect archaeological monuments across the country. These grants help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

The Community Monuments Fund supports a range of initiatives to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. This investment safeguards monuments for the benefit of communities and the public.

It does so by enabling conservation works and repairs as well as building resilience through protecting monuments from the effects of extreme weather and climate change. The scheme also encourages public access and improvements to the presentation of local monuments.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, spoke of the value of the funding: “The importance of our archaeological heritage cannot be overstated and this fund has a very real and profound impact on the custodians and communities in our cities, villages, towns and countryside.

“I sincerely thank the owners of archaeological monuments for their dedication to the preservation of our wonderful heritage. This investment will ensure that our built heritage can continue to be enjoyed by local and visiting communities, as well as acting to create work and preserve important traditional skills in towns and villages right across Ireland.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said there has been a tangible social benefit to the supports: “Since this fund was first introduced in 2020, it has invested €25.5 million in communities nationwide. It is now a bedrock of our support for archaeological heritage across the country helping conserve buildings as varied as churches, round towers, castles, forts, barracks and, abbeys.

Eligible projects are drawn from projects proposed by a Local Authority for archaeological monuments in public ownership, projects proposed by a Local Authority based on applications from private applicants and projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit.