4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wexford projects receive €74,639 in funding under the Heritage Council's 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, said: 'I am delighted to see so many excellent initiatives in Wexford supported through this grant funding. These groups conserve and protect our local heritage for generations to come to enjoy and I look forward to seeing the projects come to life through this funding.'
The recipients of the funds are: Saltmills and St Kearns Community Group, €9,759, Kilanerin Tidy Towns, €9,050, Tara Hill Community Development Association CLG, €3,300, Ferns Community Development Association, €24,310, and Druimcree Historical Group, €7,425 (across multiple counties).
The over €24,000 in funding awarded to Ferns Community Development Association will support it in its work to conduct a conservation survey and plan which will set out a route map in how to conserve, maintain and enhance the natural, archaeological and built heritage of the Ferns old historic graveyard.
The Heritage Council is distributing more than €1.9 million through the Scheme this year to support 132 heritage initiatives across Ireland. These grants will enable local communities to conserve and celebrate Ireland's built, cultural, and natural heritage. The allocation follows a national call for applications in February, which attracted hundreds of proposals from heritage groups, volunteers, and community organisations across the country.
Several initiatives funded will operate across Ireland. These include Bat Conservation Ireland, which has been awarded €15,583 for the second phase of its "Gardening for Bats" project; the Royal Dublin Society, receiving €19,491 for the preservation, digitisation, and cataloguing of the Lawrence Steele Egyptology Collection; and the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network, which has been granted €22,525 for its project on the oral histories of Irish show people.
All funded projects can begin work immediately and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Previous recipients in Wexford have used this funding to restore architectural features, digitise local archives, and carry out conservation training — strengthening both the preservation of heritage and the local economy.
Dr. Martina Moloney, Chairperson of the Heritage Council added: 'The Heritage Council is committed to empowering communities and ensuring that our shared heritage is preserved and celebrated by all. This scheme reflects that commitment, supporting a diverse range of projects—from conservation and skills training to research and interpretation—that might not otherwise receive funding. Initiatives like the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, Adopt a Monument, and Heritage in Schools show how local engagement and national support can combine to deliver real, lasting benefits.'
"The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is a vital part of this approach, helping communities across Ireland protect the places, stories, and traditions that matter most to them.'
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, remarked: 'Through the Community Heritage Grant Scheme, we are proud to support the work of local groups who care deeply about their heritage and who are taking meaningful action to protect and promote it. Whether it's restoring a local landmark, recording oral histories, or creating habitats for biodiversity, these projects have a tangible and lasting impact."
'They strengthen local identity, drive tourism, and create opportunities for learning, connection, and employment. We see time and again how this scheme brings people together and builds pride of place across the country,' she added.
