Wicklow County Council welcomes the recent announcement of €544,415 in funding for archaeological monuments in County Wicklow through the Community Monuments Fund 2026.

The Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to conserve, protect and promote monuments and historic sites, encouraging access and making them more climate resilient through supporting essential repairs.

Seven projects for Wicklow have been approved as follows:

• Kilpipe medieval church - €130,000 to repair and consolidate ruins;
• Kilmacanogue Old Church - €105,000 for phase 2 programme of masonry repairs;
• Drumgoff Barracks - €130,000 for phase 2 repairs to early 19th Century building associated with The Military Road construction;  
• Black Castle, Wicklow Town - €100,000 for conservation and stabilisation of the upstanding masonry remains;
• Killoughter (Old) Church & Graveyard - €23,720 for Conservation Management Plan including archaeological, architectural, engineering, ecological and arboricultural assessment.
• Killadreenan Church - €25,695 for a Conservation Management Plan, including assessment of significance, condition and vulnerability, and the development of conservation policies and a prioritised schedule of works to guide future conservation and management.
• Castletimon Church Ruins - €30,000 for small-scale, preventative conservation works to include consolidation of collapsed masonry and targeted stabilisation.

Speaking on the funding announcement, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council stated: “I am delighted that seven projects in County Wicklow are set to benefit from investment under the CMF 2026. Our archaeological heritage is a unique and valuable asset, and this funding will enable essential works to ensure they are protected for centuries to come for the benefit of local communities and visitors”

Emer O'Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, added, “This latest funding is welcome news for Communities throughout Wicklow and will greatly support employment of specialist craftspeople and traditional skills practitioners and assist heritage led regeneration initiatives.”

The Community Monuments Fund (CMF) is funded by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is administered in Wicklow by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council.