Laois County Council

Tag: funding

  • Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan launches €6 million 2023 Community Monuments Fund

    Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan launches €6 million 2023 Community Monuments Fund

    The 2023 Community Monuments Fund has been launched by Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform.

    €6 million will be invested in next year’s Community Monuments Fund helping owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.
    The Community Monuments Fund was first established as part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus with an investment of €1.15 million supporting 71 projects. This significant increase in funding for the scheme reflects the positive impact of the Fund over the last 3 years. It is estimated that the funding for 2023 will support approximately 120 projects nationwide.

    The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also build their resilience to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change. The fund supports essential repairs and capital conservation and access works at archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify any measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.

    Visiting the Community Monuments Fund supported conservation works at Dysart Enos Church Ratheniska, with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service, October 2022. Pictured with community members Liam Wall, James Deegan and Jane Wall are Conservation Architect Ricard McLoughlin, Chris Corlett and Archaeologist Colm Flynn. Stone work by Damien Condon, Calx Conservation.
    Visiting the Community Monuments Fund supported conservation works at Dysart Enos Church Ratheniska, with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service, October 2022. Pictured with community members Liam Wall, James Deegan and Jane Wall are Conservation Architect Ricard McLoughlin, Chris Corlett and Archaeologist Colm Flynn. Stone work by Damien Condon, Calx Conservation.

    Speaking today, Minister Noonan said:

    “I am delighted to announce a €6 million Community Monuments Fund for 2023. With the excellent collaborative partnership between Local Authorities and our National Monuments Service, the 2022 Fund produced an extraordinary level of community engagement, traditional skills opportunities, and protection of our heritage. We are very pleased that we are able to grow this support in 2023 to support over 120 projects. The grant assistance to local authorities, private owners and communities in the maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites in private ownership is an acknowledgement of the important role of our heritage and of those who work so tirelessly to care for it.”

    Minister Noonan added:

    “We must do what we can to support the protection of our vulnerable archaeological heritage, to celebrate it and make it accessible to all. In doing so, we deliver clearly on commitments under our new national heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030. I would like to thank all of those communities and Local Authorities for their continued interest in the protection of archaeological monuments across the country. This investment will help to ensure that our archaeological heritage continues to enrich all of our lives.”

    Finished conservation works at Rahin Church Ballylinan, supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured are (L-R) Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Colm Flynn Archaeologist, Aoife Howard, David Kelly Partnership Engineers, Jethro Sheen, Sheenstone stone masons.
    Finished conservation works at Rahin Church Ballylinan, supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured are (L-R) Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Colm Flynn Archaeologist, Aoife Howard, David Kelly Partnership Engineers, Jethro Sheen, Sheenstone stone masons.

    The community monuments fund is managed in Laois by Laois County Council. The closing date for applications for the 2023 round of grants is 14 February 2023. Full details and application forms here.

    Previous projects funded by the Community Monuments Fund in Laois include:

    • Conservation of Rahin Church, Ballylinan
    • Conservation of Dysart Enos Church
    • Conservation Plan for Ballyadams Castle
    • Conservation Plan for Clonreher Castle
    • Research into the archaeological landscape of the Great Heath

     

    Site visit to Baunaghra Medieval Church, conservatin plan supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured (l-r) Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer, Laois County Council, Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Fintan Dunne Conservation Architect and Seamus Costigan, Landowner, Behind the camera - Colm Flynn Archaeologist
    Site visit to Baunaghra Medieval Church, conservation plan supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured (l-r) Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer, Laois County Council, Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Fintan Dunne Conservation Architect and Seamus Costigan, Landowner, Behind the camera – Colm Flynn Archaeologist
  • Community Monuments Fund 2022

    Community Monuments Fund 2022

    The Community Monuments Fund will have €5 million in 2022 to invest in archaeological heritage and help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

    Old St Peter’s Church and Graveyard in Portlaoise benefitted from funding under the Community Monuments Fund in 2021

     

    Core Aims of the Fund

    The core aims of this Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. It will:

    • enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support
    • build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change
    • encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

    Project promoters are encouraged to incorporate a traditional skills training element in projects.

     

    Streams 1-3

    The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:

    • Stream 1 will offer grants up to €85,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
    • Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
    • Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments (including COVID 19 public health measures).

    Eligible Projects

    The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:

    • Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended)
    • Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.

    Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories:

    • projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership , where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated
    • projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit
    • projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.
    Killabban Medieval Church was conserved by the community the the help of the Community Monuments Fund in 2020 and 2021

    How to Apply

    Application Form A below should be submitted to Laois County Council by Tuesday 15th February 2022.

    Applications by email only to heritage@laoiscoco.ie.

    Application Form: Community Monuments Fund 2022 Form A Applications

    Full scheme rules and further details: Community Monuments Fund 2022 Explanatory Memorandum

    Dysart Enos Church during CMF Funded works in 2021
  • Funding for heritage conservation in 2022

    Funding for heritage conservation in 2022

    Laois County Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage is inviting applications for grants for the conservation of architectural heritage and archaeological monuments in 2022

     

    Community Monuments Fund 2022

     

    The Community Monuments Fund will enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change; encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation. The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams relating to conservation works, conservation plans, and improving access and interpretation.

     

    The closing date for applications under the Community Monuments Fund is 15th February 2022.

    Details here. Queries to Heritage Section at 087-662 4865 or ccasey@laoiscoco.ie.

     

    Architectural Conservation Grants 2022

     

    Applications to Laois County Council are invited for the following schemes:

    Historic Structures Fund:

    Stream 1: Grants from €15,000 to €50,000 for essential repairs and smaller capital works, with separate streams for Historic Shopfronts, Irish language Shopfronts and Vernacular Structures.

    Stream 2: Grants from €50,000 to €200,000 for larger projects involving historic structures, with a clear community or public benefit

     

    Built Heritage Investment Scheme:

    For ongoing repair and conservation of properties on the Record of Protected Structures or within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). Grants at 50% ranging from €2,500 to €15,000.

     

    All works must be planned and overseen by qualified and experienced conservation professionals. Applications must be accompanied by a Method Statement. Applicants cannot avail of funding under both schemes in the same year.

    The closing date for applications under Architectural Conservation Grant schemes is 31st January 2022.

    Details here. Queries to Planning Section  at 057-866 4000 or voreilly@laoiscoco.ie.

  • Creative Ireland Film Bursary 2021

    Creative Ireland Film Bursary 2021

    The Laois Short Film Inaugural Bursary aims to foster talent and activity in film making in County Laois and is funded by Creative Ireland in partnership with Laois County Council.  The Bursary is for a short drama or documentary film of 10 to 12 minutes duration to be shot in the county.

    The 2021 Bursary is now open for submissions with a deadline of 4pm on Friday  6th  August

    This year both short documentary (10-12mins) & drama (10-12mins) are being accepted.

    Also, a core member of each team applying for the bursary, ie Writer/ Director/ Producer, must be from or living in Laois.

     

    COMPETITIVE APPLICATIONS

    This Bursary is highly competitive and we are asking for the widest range of stories possible.  We are interested in screenplays that reflect aspects of Irish experience across different generations/gender/ethnicities,  class and landscapes.  It is important that Laois features on screen and so we would like to hear about locations you are thinking of using.

    The successful team are encouraged to hire local crew to work on the shoot.

    You can access the guidelines & application form here:

     

  • Funding announced for Conservation of Laois historic buildings

    Funding announced for Conservation of Laois historic buildings

    Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, today (Thursday 1 April) announced that 477 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a total of €3m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

    Of this fund €72,000 has been allocated to 12 projects in Laois, ranging from small thatched houses to larger country houses.

    Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, welcomed the announcement saying “In addition to supporting owners of historic buildings in looking after their properties, this funding will also provide a welcome boost to local construction and heritage trades by facilitating works with a total value of over €15.5m and creating jobs estiated at 19,000 days’ labour. Laois County Council is delighted to be able to participate in the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, providing a link between the Department and owners on the ground and getting this funding out to Laois Communities”.

    Thatched house near Emo rethatched under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2020

    The BHIS is one of two built heritage funding schemes run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in association with the 31 Local Authorities. Through grants of up to €15,000, the BHIS assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties. The scheme is not limited to private dwellings and also provides assistance to a wide range of other important heritage.
    Also included under the BHIS 2021 is a continuation of a micro-grant stream introduced in 2020 to increase the resilience of historic structures to withstand the constant effects of climate change. This allows local authorities to make smaller awards to owners of historic properties to carry out routine maintenance to offset the impact of climate change on their buildings.

    Minister Noonan said: “I am delighted to announce €3m investment in our built heritage which will assist 477 owners and custodians of historic and protected structures right across the country as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage. These awards will provide much-needed economic stimulus in all 31 local authority areas and will give employment to the many small businesses, skilled conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity. Not only will this €3m funding help sustain specialist heritage businesses while the market recovers, it is also an investment in this Government’s commitment under the Programme for Government to encourage traditional building skills.”

    Minister of State for Local Government, Peter Burke, TD, also welcomed the announcement, saying “the success of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme is testament to the close working relationship between the Department and the Local Authorities, particularly the Architectural Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and planning and administrative staff without whom these schemes would not exist. It is particularly pleasing to see this year’s BHIS fund so many projects in our towns, in line with this Government’s commitment to put Town Centres First.”

    Conservation work funded by the BHIS underway at St Paul’s French Church Portarlington in 2020

    Laois Projects funded this year are as follows:

    Projects Funding Allocated
    House, Stradbally, Co. Laois €8,500.00
    Thatch Durrow, Co. Laois €7,000.00
    Thatch Fisherstown, Co. Laois €7,000.00
    Thatch Rathleague, Co. Laois €7,000.00
    Thatch Clonaghadooo, Co. Laois €6,000.00
    St Paul’s French Church Portarlington, Co. Laois €4,000.00
    Thatch Jamestown, Co. Laois €3,500.00
     House Mountmellick, Co. Laois €10,000.00
    Thatch Ballybodin, Co. Laois €1,000.00
    Thatch Graigue, Co. Laois €7,000.00
    Thatch Ballacolla, Co. Laois €7,000.00
    Forum Mountmellick, Co. Laois €4,000.00
      €72,000.00

     

     

    Details of awards granted under the Department’s other built heritage scheme, the Historic Structures Fund, will be announced following their assessment in the coming weeks.

    The list of all grantees nationally under the 2021 BHIS can be found here.

  • €2 million Community Monuments Fund Launched

    €2 million Community Monuments Fund Launched

    Malcolm Noonan, T.D, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, has launched the 2021 Community Monuments Fund which will invest €2 million in the protection and promotion of archaeological heritage during 2021. The €2 million allocation is an increase of 75% on last year’s funding.

    The grants available under the Community Monuments Fund will help custodians and owners of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of local communities and the visiting public. In addition, they will provide support for heritage professions and job opportunities in building conservation and other traditional skills.

    Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “Laois County Council is delighted to be working with the National Monuments Service again this year on the Community Monuments Fund. Last year essential conservation work was carried out at Killabban Church under the scheme, and Conservation Plans for medieval churches at Kilmanman and Dysart Gallen were commissioned and the graveyard at Old Lea recorded. None of this vital work would have been possible without the Community Monuments Funding”

    Killabban Church with the Conservation Committee, including John Moran and Liam Delaney. The conservation of the church was funded in 2020 through the Community Monuments Fund

    Applications by private owners or community groups for funding under the under the CMF must be made to Laois County Council by 12th April. Application forms and full details are on the website of Laois County Council at laois.ie/heritage.

    The Community Monuments Fund was first established as part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus introduced in response to the Covid emergency. In 2020, some 71 heritage projects were funded to the value of €1.15 million. It is anticipated that that the 2021 programme being run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Monuments Service will support more than 120 projects across the country.

    The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments. Funding is available for:

    • conservation works to monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support,
    • works to improve access to and presentation of monuments, and
    • building resilience into monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

    Funding is available in three streams.

    • Stream 1 for essential repairs and conservation works at archaeological monuments.
    • Stream 2 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports to identify necessary conservation measures and any issues requiring future attention.
    • Stream 3 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments, including development of online interpretative material.

    Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD said “We have a responsibility towards our heritage and to those who care for it. When we established the Community Monuments Fund in 2020, we did so with the objective of supporting the heritage sector and providing an effective way of assisting Local Authorities and custodians in protecting Ireland’s remarkable yet vulnerable archaeological heritage.

    “With the excellent partnership between Local Authorities and our National Monuments Service, the 2020 Fund supported an extraordinary level of community engagement and public participation in heritage. It provided traditional skills opportunities and strengthened the role of heritage in communities across the country, highlighting the role of heritage in providing a strong sense of place and well-being. We are very pleased to be able to grow the fund significantly this year and hope to support over 120 projects which will provide a local economic boost with thousands of hours of employment for stone masons, conservation architects, archaeologists and others, in sustainable job opportunities in the care of our heritage.”

    How to Apply

    The closing date for applications by private owners or community groups is 12th April 2021.

    Community Monuments Fund Application Form: CMF-A Application

    CMF Scheme Guidelines: Guidelines document

     

    Note

    Completed application forms must be submitted to the Heritage Office of Laois County Council by 12th April. Forms must be  submitted in Word format by email only.

    Please read the scheme guidelines carefully and compete all relevant sections of the form.

    Please note the requirement for an appropriately qualified building conservation professional to oversee any proposed conservation works, and for a comprehensive Method Statement to accompany all applications. See Guidelines above for information on what should be in Method Statements). The absence of a suitably comprehensive Method Statement will result in a project failing at assessment stage.

    If you have any questions please contact the Heritage Office to discuss.

     

    Dysart Gallen church had a Conservation Plan funded through the 2020 Community Monuments Fund
  • Grants for Cultural and Creative Practitioners

    Grants for Cultural and Creative Practitioners

    Note

    The closing date for these grants has now passed. Successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible

    New opportunities for the Laois Cultural and Creative sector have been announced as part of the Jobs Stimulus Package from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

    Creative Ireland Laois has announced two new grant schemes for Laois Cultural and Creative practitioners (individuals & groups).

    Under this fund, local projects and initiatives will provide supports for

    1. placing creativity at the heart of economic development,
    2. innovative place-making projects in local areas,
    3. collaboration, and
    4. professional development of creative practitioners and / or organisations.

    There are two funds:

    Equipment Grants

    To promote the development of Cultural and Creative initiatives within Laois, Laois County Council Creative Ireland are awarding a number of Equipment grants to professional cultural and creative operators/ practitioners (individuals & groups) for upskilling in digital media practices.

    Under this Creative Communities Jobs Stimulus measure, funding is provided for

    • Enabling access to digital equipment for cultural and creative operators/practitioners (individuals & groups).
    • The provision of an Equipment grant for cultural and creative operators/practitioners (individuals & groups) to adapt, reposition or reskill themselves or to repurpose their assets/offering to ensure they may continue to connect and engage with their local communities.

    Full details and application information:

    Laois County Council | Creative Ireland Equipment Grant Scheme Call for applications 2020 (Word version)

    Laois County Council | Creative Ireland Equipment Grant Scheme Call for applications 2020 (pdf version)

    The closing date for receipt of applications for the Equipment Grants is 4pm on Friday, September 25, 2020

    Cruinniu na nOg Portlaoise – Vincent Hunt, Tutor, helps a young child at Dunamaise Arts Centre . Photo: Michael Scully.

    Co-Create grants

    Laois County Council Creative Ireland are awarding a number of Co-Create grants to professional cultural and creative operators / practitioners to collaborate in the development of  new initiatives.

    Cultural and Creative operators / practitioners must collaborate with a community group, or school, or NGO, or  Enterprise, or community group, or voluntary group, or professional group.

    Under this Creative Communities Job Stimulus Funds scheme, funding may be provided for a broad range of initiatives that:

    Connect, engage & collaborate with local and marginalised communities and other communities, small towns and villages; or small to medium enterprises; or public buildings; or heritage and landscape; or local cultural and heritage venues; or Maker Spaces/Studio; and/or a blend of the  above. This is not a prescriptive list and we welcome your proposals.

    Full details and application information:

    Laois County Council | Creative Ireland Co-Create Grant Scheme Call for applications 2020 (Word version)

    Laois County Council | Creative Ireland Co-Create Grant Scheme Call for applications 2020 (pdf version)

    The closing date for the Co-Create Grants is 4pm on Monday, September 28, 2020

    Creative Ireland

    Creative Ireland is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016. The Laois County Council 2018-22 five-year Culture and Creativity Plan can be viewed here.

    The Creative Ireland Programme has collaboration at its heart – between central and local government; between heritage, arts, culture and industry; between artists, communities and policy makers– to facilitate a culture of creativity.