There was some exciting news this week, with the announcement of €292,658 in funding for projects on nine Archaeological Monuments in Westmeath”, says Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade. The awards were made through the Community Monuments Fund from the National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
€164,754 of the funding has been awarded for essential conservation works to three monuments: ‘The Old Gaol’ in Fore; the medieval ‘Leper Hospital’ in Kilbixy; and a section of the Town Wall at Church Street in Athlone.
Funding has been awarded for the preparation of Conservation Plans for Killefree Church in Castlepollard; St Owen's Church, Ballymore; Court Devenish, a 17th-Century House in Athlone and the 15th-Century Tower House in Monasset, near Tyrrellspass. “The preparation of these plans is an important first step in conserving these monuments”, says Melanie.
The Athlone No.1 Gun Battery Heritage Group were awarded funding for exploratory archaeological excavations to inform future restoration and interpretation of the Battery. Funding was also provided for digital interpretation of the Bronze Age wooden trackway uncovered, and partially excavated, in Mayne Bog.
“The Community Monuments Fund provides a significant investment in our archaeological heritage”, says Melanie, “I look forward to collaborating with the monument owners and community groups who have been awarded funding and to seeing the results of their projects.”
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 18/06/2021
