Date: 17 June 2020
Green Party TD, Steven Matthews has welcomed the €64,500 funding announced for Wicklow by his party colleague, Minister Malcolm Noonan as part of the Community Monuments Fund. This funding has been allocated to seven projects, applied for by Wicklow County Council in conjunction with local heritage groups, and is designed to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.
Dunganstown Castle - €2,767.50
Arklow Castle - €12,730.00
Historical Graveyards Project (Ballymaghroe, Mullinacuffe and Whitefield) - €25,539.00
Kilbride Church and Graveyard - €7,203.85
Wicklow Town Archaeology Project - €7,800.00
Baltinglass Hillforts Study - €2,000.00
Whitfield Graveyard - €6,519.00
Discussing the funding, Deputy Matthews said:
“The Community Monuments Fund invests essential capital in our valuable archaeological heritage and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. This funding is hugely positive not only for those involved in the various societies and groups across Wicklow who work to preserve our historical heritage but for locals and visitors alike who enjoy visiting and walking around these areas of huge historic importance.
“As chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I am conscious that while there is rightly a huge focus on immediate concerns, most notably the recovery from Covid, we cannot neglect our existing heritage. This round of funding will go a long way in preserving the seven sites selected in Wicklow. There is a good geographical spread in this funding too which I know has been raised as a concern in years gone by.
“All the projects that have been awarded funding are extremely worthwhile investments in our shared heritage, but I know that not all of Wicklow County Council’s project applications were fully funded. I look forward to engaging with the area managers in the council and the local heritage groups involved in the coming months with the hope that they can be considered under future funding allocations.
“This summer, as we all know, there is an emphasis on outdoor activities. I hope that people across Wicklow and further afield take this opportunity to visit some of the incredible historical sites in our county. We should be extremely proud of our heritage sites, not only the ones that have received funding this week but all sites of historic significance across Wicklow, concluded Deputy Matthews.
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