Grants of up to €100,000 offered to conserve Wicklow’s historical monuments

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Grants of up to €100,000 are being offered by Wicklow County Council for conservation works of local historical monuments, as the window to apply for funding under the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) has opened for applications.

The scheme is operated by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and administered by the Heritage Office within Wicklow County Council.

CMF 2025 will offer grants for architectural projects from €30,000 to €100,000 to invest in archaeological heritage across the country and is prioritised for local authorities, private owners, custodians, and community groups.

The aim of the fund is to enable conservation work on significant monuments in urgent need of support and repair works, to enhance the resilience of monuments against climate change, and to encourage access and improve the presentation of these monuments.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Melanie Corrigan has welcomed the funding announcement.

“The CMF will provide much needed investment in our valuable archaeological heritage and help the owners and custodians to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public”.

Wicklow County Council chief executive, Emer O'Gorman, believes the funding will provide significant support for structures most in need of repair.

“The impact of climate change on our monuments is increasingly evident and this fund will support essential repairs and build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of a changing environment in County Wicklow.”

In 2025 €357,500 in funding was allocated to the local authority for archaeological monuments in County Wicklow through Stream 1 of the fund 2025.

Four projects for Wicklow were approved in total as follows;

Drumgoff Barracks €130,000 for repairs to this iconic early 19th Century building associated with The Military Road construction.

Mullinacuff Church (in ruins) €67,499 for phase two repairs to the medieval masonry.

Kilmacanouge (Old) Church €30,000 for propping to West Gable.

Newcastle Castle €130,000 for repairs and consolidation to this important early castle which was remodelled in the 16th century.

Total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2026 amounts to €7.5 million.

The closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Application forms and further details are available on wicklow.ie/Living/News-Events

Applicants are advised to read the CMF guidance carefully and ensure that method statements and all relevant consents are included with the application.