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The Heritage Council is looking for new groups to join its ‘Adopt a Monument’ programme and to adopt a monument in their locality. Applications are open until 5 p.m. on Monday, November 13. The scheme is designed to identity a monument in your locality that would benefit from some care and attention and to support a local community group’s efforts to get involved in its management. It aims to empower communities to become actively involved in the conservation and interpretation of their local archaeological and cultural heritage sites.
Eligible monuments can include an archaeological monument, historic building, traditional house, castle, church, historic graveyard, bridge, landed estate, mine, lime kiln, mill, battlefield, an example of our built heritage, an aspect of industrial heritage or a cultural landscape feature. “The Adopt a Monument Scheme is a new way of bringing monuments into the heart of a community” said Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation at The Heritage Council. “For participants, it offers opportunities to work collaboratively, to undertake research, and to get to know more about the history of their area. For the monuments, the scheme has the potential to ensure ongoing maintenance and care, greater protection through increased civic value, and much higher standards of interpretation and understanding.”
Since the scheme started in 2016, about 25 groups have taken part and adopted a diverse range of monuments, including a walled garden, archaeological sites, castles, churches and graveyards, Anglo-Norman earthen fortifications, a 20th-century handball alley, and 19th-century mining buildings. “Four archaeological monuments in County Donegal - Doon Fort near Ardara, Kilbarron Castle near Rossnowlagh, Malin Well Old Church near Malin Head and Old Killaghtee Historic Graveyard - are participating in the scheme already,” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Training and assistance in recording, understanding and surveying these sites was provided to participating community groups such as the Donegal GAP Heritage & History Group, Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group, Malin Head Heritage Group and Dunkineely Community Limited in recent years. The ‘Adopt a Monument’ Scheme is managed by Abarta Heritage on behalf of The Heritage Council and it also works with communities in preparing a conservation management plan and in sourcing funding.” The Adopt a Monument scheme will provide expertise, mentoring, support, and networking to help to preserve and protect the monument for future generations.
Communities from across Ireland are encouraged to apply. The Adopt a Monument Scheme offers opportunities to become actively involved in the conservation and interpretation of heritage sites in your local area; collaborate and work together as a community; participate in community development; boost regional tourism, business and employment opportunities; and develop and understand the story of your locality and learn new skills.
The closing date for applications is 5 p.m. on Monday, November 13. Further details and an application form are available on the Heritage Council website (https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/aam). Completed applications should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] Advice and assistance on making an application is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council on (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at [email protected]
