Date: 22 April 2022
Green TD Steven Matthews has welcomed the news that €68,790 has been allocated under two schemes from the Heritage Council to develop and support the built, cultural, and natural heritage of Wicklow. The organisations awarded funding include:
• Arklow Town Team - €20,000
• Alfred Beit Foundation - €20,000
• Rathdrum Tidy Towns - €3,910
• BirdWatch Ireland - €16,675
• Wicklow County Archives Service - €8,205
Speaking following the funding announcement, Deputy Matthews said:
“This is a significant investment which will bring many benefits for the conservation and restoration of important aspects of heritage in Wicklow. A diverse range of projects have been awarded funding, from the creation of an interactive, online database for Arklow Pottery, to works on an 18th century Weir Wall to facilitate pedestrian access under the N81 and link the Russborough walkways with the Blessington Greenway, to the installation of boxes for migratory swifts in Rathdrum.
“The funding will be made available under the Community Heritage Grants Scheme and the Heritage Stewardship Fund. The priority of the Heritage Council has been to enable communities, NGOs and local authorities to continue their vital work around heritage or to start new initiatives. Projects eligible for funding included those that improve access and inclusion to heritage sites, that apply good heritage practice to the management of places, collections, or objects and those that rely on the purchase of specialist equipment.
“I am particularly delighted to see BirdWatch Ireland included in the list of projects awarded funding in Wicklow. They do extraordinary work to research and promote the welfare of wild birds and their habitats. I have had the privilege to regularly collaborate with them on various pieces of legislation in recent months, including the Maritime Area Planning Act which was passed late last year.
“This is the work of a Government with a long-term vision for protecting Ireland’s heritage for future generations. With this funding, we can revitalise our towns and villages, make more resources digitally accessible and preserve our natural habitats for the benefit of biodiversity.
“I would like to thank my Green Party colleague and the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, for all his work to deliver this scheme. I wish all groups that have been awarded funding in Wicklow the very best and I look forward to following updates on the projects as they progress”, Deputy Matthews concluded.
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