Minister O’Sullivan announces opening of the 2027 Community Monuments Fund

 The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has launched the 2027 Community Monuments Fund.

The Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to help owners and custodians to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local archaeological monuments and historic sites. Since 2021, more than €40 million has been invested in over 840 projects countrywide.

Announcing the opening of the 2027 funding stream, Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan said:

“The Community Monuments Fund plays an essential role in helping owners and custodians across the country to protect and preserve our precious archaeological heritage – from forts and castles to abbeys and historic graveyards, in cities, towns, villages, and the wider countryside.

Since becoming Minister for Heritage, I have visited a number of CMF projects and seen for myself the positive impact this funding has on communities. Not only does it restore these amazing structures and make them more resilient for the future, it brings people together to celebrate their local heritage, all while supporting the wider heritage sector and helping to keep traditional skills alive.

Funding for the CMF has grown considerably over the years, and with the support and collaboration of National Monuments Service of my department, and the local authority heritage teams. I am proud to be opening this year’s fund for applications. I’d like to encourage everyone interested in learning more about this fund to engage with their local Heritage Officer.”

The Community Monuments Fund supports conservation, maintenance, protection and the promotion of local monuments and historic sites. For 2027, the scheme has four streams to support these aims:

• Stream 1 offers grants up to €130,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
• Stream 2 offers 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 offers grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual or online) at archaeological monuments

A fourth stream is also being offered for the first time in 2027 as a pilot programme:

• Stream 4 will offer grants of up to €10,000 to monitor previous conservation works funded by CMF to ensure the continued resilience of the monuments.

This scheme is administered by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Authorities.

Interested parties should contact the relevant Local Authority to enquire about applications. The closing date for applications for the 2027 round of grants is 5 February 2027.

• 104 projects funded through the €8,049,531.04 Community Monuments Fund (CMF) allocation in 2026 are listed here: Community Monuments Fund - List of Awards 2026
• Full details and project documentation relating to the 2027 can be found on the department’s website.