Minister for Rural and Community Development and local TD, Heather Humphreys, has welcomed the allocation of over €64,000 for heritage sites in Monaghan and Cavan.

The funding, under the Community Heritage Grants 2021 scheme, will help safeguard and improve seven sites across the two counties.

Almost€34,000 has been allocated to three projects in Monaghan: The Old National School Building in Carrickmacross, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Newbliss and the Ancient Chapel at Lough Egish.

Meanwhile, just over €30,000 has been allocated to projects in Cavan. These include almost€13,000 for Killeshandra Tidy Towns for a project involving the Church of the Rath.

Funding is also being provided for works involving the West Cavan Bogs Association, the Cavan and Leitrim Railway and the Medieval Drumlane Abbey Complex.

The funding was confirmed to Minister Humphreys by Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan.

Welcoming the funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“I have been working closely with Minister Noonan to deliver projects for Monaghan and Cavan and I really welcome today’s funding announcement.

“This is all about providing the means for our communities to conserve, repair and safeguard key heritage projects.

“I also hope and envisage that such projects will support local employment of skilled conservation workers and tradespeople.

“This scheme goes hand in hand with Our Rural Future – the new five year policy for rural Ireland that I launched recently.

“These investments are all about breathing new life into rural communities as well as enhancing and protecting our most important heritage sites and tourism destinations.”

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