Heritage Council awards funding for five Donegal projects

The Heritage Council has awarded €98,051 in funding, which is divided between Clonleigh Parish Church, Inishowen Traditional Music Project, Inver Heritage Group, Brian Friel Trust CLG and Biodiversity Mentor Outreach Project

Published 9th Jun 2026, 16:35 BST Church of St. Lugadius, Lifford | Donegal County Council The Heritage Council has awarded €98,051 in funding, which is divided between Clonleigh Parish Church, Inishowen Traditional Music Project, Inver Heritage Group, Brian Friel Trust CLG and Biodiversity Mentor Outreach Project 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 Heritage Council has awarded €98,051 in funding to five community heritage projects in Donegal under its Community Heritage Grant Scheme.

The Heritage Council awarded €25,000 funding to Clonleigh Parish Church for ongoing repairs to the Church of St. Lugadius in Lifford; funding of €22,622 was awarded to the Inishowen Traditional Music Project for the development of its digital archive and the upgrading of its website The Inver Heritage Group received €21,666 for gate pillar, steps and boundary wall repairs to improve access to St. Naul’s Church and historic graveyard.

The Brian Friel Trust CLG received €25,000 for the creation of a Brian Friel Digital Heritage Trail in Glenties and to Machaire Beo / LIFE on Machair for a project entitled Cú Costa: Biodiversity Mentor Outreach Project to provide on-site biodiversity monitoring and advice on the Luinnigh coastal Machair grassland site in Gaoth Dobhair during the summer months and was awarded €3,763.

Entrance to St. Naul's Historic Graveyard in Inver | Donegal County Council “These projects reflect the dedication of community groups across County Donegal who are working to preserve, conserve and celebrate our heritage” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “From biodiversity education to the conservation of historic buildings and digital heritage initiatives, these local projects strengthen community identity and help ensure our heritage is valued for generations to come.

“Our heritage reinforces our sense of place and identity, attracts visitors, supports jobs and sustains local communities. Although this countrywide scheme is very competitive, many Donegal-based heritage groups have been successful in securing funding over the years. Best conservation practice and local community engagement are essential features of any project.”

The annual grant scheme supports projects that promote appreciation, conservation and access to Ireland’s rich and diverse heritage.

“The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is one of the most important ways we support local stewardship of Ireland’s heritage”, said Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive Officer of The Heritage Council. “Each year, we see community groups bring extraordinary creativity in developing ways to care and promote the places, stories and natural environments that matter to them.

“This scheme empowers people to take meaningful action, whether that be restoring a historic structure, conserving biodiversity or creating new ways for the public to connect with their local heritage.”

Related topics: Inver Donegal County Council heritage 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.