Donegal projects awarded almost €100k under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme

Five community heritage projects in Donegal have been awarded a combined total of €98,051 under the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme

Published 21st May 2026, 11:42 BST Updated 21st May 2026, 11:44 BST Clonleigh Parish Church 2026 repairs have been awarded €25,000 | File image Five community heritage projects in Donegal have been awarded a combined total of €98,051 under the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

The funded projects are Clonleigh Parish Church’s “Clonleigh Parish Church 2026 repairs,” which has been awarded €25,000; the Inishowen Traditional Music Project’s “Inishowen Traditional Music Project - Digital Archive and Website Upgrade,” which has been awarded €22,622; Inver Heritage Group’s project to improve access to St Nauls Church Inver, which has been awarded €21,666; the Brian Friel Trust CLG’s “Brian Friel Digital Heritage Trail,” which has been awarded €25,000; and Machaire Beo / LIFE on Machair’s “CÚ COSTA – Biodiversity Mentor Outreach Project,” which has been awarded €3,763.

The Inishowen Traditional Music Project has been awarded €22,622 | File image “These projects reflect the extraordinary depth of heritage in Donegal, from our built heritage and historic churches to our musical traditions, biodiversity, and the legacy of Brian Friel,” Pat the Cope said. “This funding will help communities preserve what makes Donegal unique while also creating new opportunities for education, tourism and local engagement.”

The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is an annual initiative that supports community groups, voluntary organisations and non-governmental organisations in protecting, sharing and celebrating heritage at a local level. It enables groups to continue existing projects or to develop new initiatives that enhance community engagement.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: “I am delighted to see these projects in County Donegal receiving support under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme. This funding empowers local communities to protect and celebrate their heritage.

Read More Senator urges Donegal people to have the conversation about organ donation today Donegal doctor retires after over three decades of dedicated service Data reveals Donegal has the second-highest payout for vehicle damage claims Donegal County Council allocated funding for six marine infrastructure projects “From preserving built heritage to capturing personal stories from our past, these initiatives ensure that our shared heritage is safeguarded and made accessible for future generations. The strong level of interest in this Scheme demonstrates the deep commitment of communities across Ireland to their local heritage, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have over the coming months.”

Funding is available for a broad range of activities, including conservation management plans, conservation works on buildings and biodiversity sites, skills-based workshops and training, collections management, biodiversity initiatives, digital resources and the purchase of specialised conservation equipment.

Following a competitive call for applications in March, the Heritage Council received hundreds of submissions from heritage volunteers, community groups and organisations demonstrating strong public engagement with Ireland’s shared heritage.

All funded projects are required to host an in-person event during National Heritage Week, August 15 to 23, to showcase their work and engage directly with the public.

“The Heritage Council is proud to support these community-led projects that bring our heritage to life at a local level,” Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said. “The projects selected in Donegal reflect both the richness and diversity of our heritage, from oral histories that deepen our understanding of everyday life in the past, to practical conservation planning that will protect important built assets. This Scheme is about enabling communities to take an active role in caring for their heritage and sharing their stories. We look forward to seeing these projects develop and to the opportunities they will create for public engagement, particularly during National Heritage Week.”

Related topics: heritage Brian Friel Conservation National Heritage Week Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.