Court Devinish, in the heart of Athlone, is one of eight County Westmeath heritage sites allocated funding under the Government’s Community Monument Funding programme.
While specific details pertaining to the funding was not detailed in the announcement, it has been confirmed that an allocation of €100,000 has been afforded to Court Devinish with a total sum of €530,985 being awarded to all the listed Westmeath projects following an announcement from the Minister of State for Heritage.
Local Fine Gael Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, has welcomed the heritage funding.
“I am delighted to receive confirmation from Minister Malcom Noonan today that over €530,000 has been awarded to successful projects in Westmeath as part of the Community Monument Funds for 2023.
“The Community Monuments Fund was first established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage. The fund invests in heritage projects and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
“This fund is a vital lifeline for heritage projects that need conservation works. Under this grant scheme, there is also funding that facilitates the preparation of conservation plans, which sets the blueprint for action on a project. Funding can also be ringfenced towards improving access to archaeological monuments which is so important to open up sites to locals and visitors alike,” Minister Burke asserted.
The remaining Westmeath funding recipients included €100,000 for Monasset Tower House, near Rahugh, to the south west of Tyrellspass, while a sum of €120,000 was awarded to St Owen’s Church in Ballymore.
Templecross Church, in close proximity to Ballynacarrigy, was allocated €100,000, a sum of €30,000 was afforded to Castlelost Church and Graveyard, Kilpatrick Church will receive €29,647, Culleenmore Towerhouse was the recipient of €21,340, while €30,000 was allocated for St Feichin’s Well and Mill.
