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The early medieval Cooley Cross, church and historic graveyard near Moville and the nineteenth-century Altan Farm Summerhouse in Dunlewey have been selected as two of five heritage sites in Ireland to join the Heritage Council’s prestigious Adopt a Monument scheme. Following an open call for applications in October 2023, a large number of community groups countrywide applied to adopt a monument in their locality. The scheme offers communities expertise, mentoring and support to help them to care for their local heritage.
“Moville Tidy Towns and Cairde na hEaragaile are to be congratulated on putting together strong applications to The Heritage Council to have their local sites recognised and included in the Adopt a Monument scheme” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “The selection process is highly competitive and involves the National Monuments Service, The Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, a community archaeologist and Abarta Heritage. 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. Support in surveying and investigation work will be provided by the Discovery Programme which is the state’s archaeological research institute.”
Cooley historic graveyard overlooking Moville includes Cooley Cross, an early church site, the ruins of an ancient church, a stone tomb structure known as ‘The Skull House’ and many cross-slabs and grave markers that are archaeological monuments protected under the National Monuments Acts. The graveyard is one of 50 historic graveyards in the guardianship of Donegal County Council. Altan Farm Summerhouse in Dunlewey is a mid-nineteenth century, two-storey summer house in private ownership that is included in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Community groups in County Donegal have been successful in securing places for four archaeological monuments in the county under the scheme in the past. They include Old Killaghtee Church, Cross and Graveyard; Malin Well Old Church near Malin Head; Kilbarron Castle near Rossnowlagh; and Doon Fort near Ardara. If you would like to find out more about these archaeological monuments or archaeological monuments in your area, you can visit the National Monuments Service website at www.archaeology.ie.
"As custodians of our nation's heritage, we recognise that this scheme is not merely about safeguarding our historic monuments; it's about safeguarding our collective memory, our identity, and our stories, and the active involvement of local communities is paramount” said Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of The Heritage Council. “We aim to empower these individuals, providing them with the resources and support they need to make a tangible difference. The impact of caring for our local monuments transcends mere restoration; it fosters a profound sense of pride within communities, transforming sometimes forgotten spaces into vibrant ones, and presents an opportunity to educate through community engagement.”
The other heritage sites countrywide included in this year’s scheme are a ringfort at Rathbeagh, which stands above the River Nore in north County Kilkenny; the historic church and graveyard at Bailieborough, County Cavan; and the impressive ruins of the medieval Court Abbey in Lavagh, County Sligo. 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. Advice and assistance on making a future application to the Adopt a Monument scheme is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council on (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at [email protected]
