Archaeology & Built Heritage

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This section includes monuments, archaeological objects, wrecks, architectural heritage, heritage gardens and parks, heritage objects and inland waterways.

Archaeology: A definition

Archaeology is the study of past societies and cultures through an assessment of the material remains left by them and the evidence of their environment. It investigates their houses, settlements and tombs and everyday implements. It seeks to understand the landscape, vegetation and climate of previous times as they affected, and were affected by, past peoples.

Monument
Includes the following, whether above or below the surface of the ground or the water and whether affixed or not affixed to the ground:
(a) any artificial or partly artificial building, structure or erection or group of such buildings, structures or erections,
(b) any cave, stone or other natural product, whether or not forming part of the ground, that has been artificially carved, sculptured or worked upon or which (where it does not form part of the place where it is) appears to have been purposely put or arranged in position,
(c) any, or any part of any, prehistoric or ancient tomb, grave or burial deposit, or
ritual, industrial or habitation site, and
(d) any place comprising the remains or traces of any such building, structure or erection, any such cave, stone or natural product or any such tomb, grave, burial deposit or ritual, industrial or habitation site, situated on land or in the territorial waters of the State, but does not include any building, or part of any building, that is habitually used for ecclesiastical purposes.

Wreck
A vessel, or part of a vessel, lying wrecked on, in or under the sea bed or, on or in land covered by water, and any objects contained in or on the vessel, and any objects that were formerly contained in or on a vessel and are lying on, in or under the sea bed or on or in land covered by water.

Architectural Heritage

All structures, building, tranditional and designed, and groups of buildings including streetscapes and urban vistas, which are of historical, archaeological, artistic, engineering, scientific, social or technical interest, together with their settings, attendant grounds, fixtures, fittings and contents, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, including railways and related buildings and structures and any place comprising the remains or traces of any such railway, building or structure.

Heritage Gardens & Parks
Areas of natural heritage, and gardens and parks whose plant collections, design, design features, buildings, setting, style or association are of significant scientific, botanical, aesthetic or historical interest or which illustrate some aspect of the development of gardening or of gardens and parks.

Inland Waterways
Canals, canalised sections of rivers and lakes, navigation channels in rivers and lakes, and their associated navigational features.

Community Monuments Fund 2024

Community Monuments Fund

The Community Monuments Fund was established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage. This funding is prioritised for Local Authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments.

Total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2024 will be €7,000,000.

The Community Monuments Fund is investing essential capital in our archaeological heritage to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. The impacts of climate change on our monuments are increasingly evident. With increased weathering and severe climate events, the repair cycle on built heritage is becoming shorter. Increased maintenance and repair are key to building resilience in monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of a changing environment.

The core aims of the Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments.

It will: enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change; encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

Traditional Skills Training :

The Department encourages projects to incorporate a traditional skills training element. This is to help preserve traditional building and craft skills that are of benefit in the conservation of archaeological monuments and to build capacity in the sector. Training may be recommended where there is a gap in traditional skill sets available. This may include, for example, training and upskilling in traditional masonry and use of lime mortars, dry stone walling, roofing, thatching, joinery and ironwork etc. The application shall be clear as to who is to receive the training and who will provide the training. It should be demonstrated that training providers have appropriate accreditation.

Who Can Apply?

The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to: (i) Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended); (ii) Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.

Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories: a) projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated; b) projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit; c) projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.

If you have any questions please contact:

Marie Mannion,

Heritage Officer

Phone 087 9088387

email mmannion@galwaycoco.ie

or

Bernie Doherty,

Galway Community Archaeologist

Phone 086 1003888

email g.c.archaeology@gmail.com

or 

Maírín Doddy,

Architecural Conservation Officer

Phone 091 509197

email mdoddy@galwaycoco.ie

Please note that completed application forms must be submitted by Thursday 1st February at 12 noon and emailed to Ita Gordon @ igordan@galwaycoco.ie

Community Monuments Fund 2024 - Application Form CMF-A

Community Monuments Fund 2024 - Appraisal Form CMF-B

Community Monuments Fund 2024 - Recoupment Claim Form CMF-C

Community Monuments Fund 2024 - Circular CMF2024

Community Monuments Fund 2024 - Handbook CMF2024

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