Louth County Council, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is inviting owners and custodians of archaeological monuments in County Louth to apply for the Community Monuments Fund 2026.
The Community Monuments Fund supports the protection and conservation of archaeological heritage, helping to safeguard monuments for the benefit of local communities and the wider public.
The scheme provides funding under three separate streams. Stream 1 supports essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments. Stream 2 funds the development of Conservation Management Plans or Reports to identify conservation measures and improve public access. Stream 3 focuses on improving access infrastructure and interpretation, including online and virtual resources, at archaeological sites.
Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, encouraged applications, saying that Louth’s archaeological heritage is a vital part of the county’s identity and history. He said the Community Monuments Fund offers an important opportunity to protect and celebrate these sites for future generations and urged owners and custodians to apply.
More than €300,000 was allocated to conservation projects in Louth under the 2025 funding call. This supported works at three historic tower house castles, Bellew’s Castle in Dundalk, Glaspistol Tower House in Clogherhead, and Taaffe’s Castle in Carlingford, as well as a study on Hatch’s Castle in Ardee.
The closing date for applications to the Community Monuments Fund 2026 is 4pm on Friday, 30th January 2026. Further details are available at www.louthcoco.ie or by emailing heritage@louthcoco.ie.
