Community Groups And Individuals Urged To Apply For Heritage Project Funding

The Minister was commenting following the launch of the Heritage Council Grants Programme 2009, under which applications are sought for funding a wide range of projects to protect and enhance our national heritage including local heritage, biodiversity, archaeology, publications, architecture research and museums and archives.

Commenting on the ongoing success of the Heritage Council Grants Programme, Minister Killeen said, "In recent years, community groups, individuals and organisations in Clare have been very successful in applying for grant aid. In the last two years alone, 21 individuals and groups have benefited under the Programme."

The Junior Agriculture Minister explained that the aim of the grants programme was to encourage and enable people throughout the county to enjoy, record, conserve, restore and celebrate the distinctive qualities of their local heritage, their community and their environment. He said that the grants often promote the lesser-known aspects of our heritage.

"Each year we see an increase in the range and quality of applications for funding for heritage projects and this correlates with research published by The Heritage Council in 2007 that found 92% of a representative sample of the population think it is important to protect our heritage", stated Minister of State Killeen.

He continued, "I would like to compliment the Clare Heritage Office for its ongoing efforts to build on the wonderful range of projects that have been carried out on a voluntary basis by many communities throughout Clare over the past number of years."

Eight organisations in County Clare received grants under last year’s Heritage Council Grants Programme.

They included Kilkee Civic Trust (EUR8k) for regeneration work to Kilkee Seawall; CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) (EUR7k) for training courses on traditional and ecological skills; Lough Derg Science Group (EUR4,500) for an educational newsletter on Lough Derg’s ecosystems; Irish Seed Savers (EUR5k) for a mobile exhibition; Clare Roots Society (EUR3k) for a survey of old the Drumcliffe cemetery in Ennis; East Clare Heritage (EUR3k) to host education workshops; Ballyea Pastoral Council (EUR2,500) for conservation work to St John’s Well and Graveyard; and the Quilty–based Leon Committee (EUR1,500) for information boards and conference.

A Grants Programme pack is available on request by phone, fax, post or can be downloaded from the website heritagecouncil.ie. The completed application form, along with the additional information requested under each scheme, should arrive at the Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny by 5.00pm on Friday 14 November 2008.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900