Adopt a Monument Scheme 

Adopt a Monument Scheme

The Heritage Council has launched a new scheme aimed at supporting public access to Ireland’s archaeological monuments.

The Heritage Council's Adopt a Monument Ireland Scheme for 2016 is looking to hear from community groups or organisations looking to adopt a local heritage site and have the opportunity to protect, promote and be more involved with their nominated heritage site.

So if you're part of or know of a local group passionate about the heritage of Kildare, make sure check out the details below.

The Adopt a Monument scheme will involve five archaeological or cultural sites that provide opportunities for community training and engagement with expertise, mentoring and support.

Speaking at the launch Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation at the Heritage Council said:

“Around every corner in Ireland you can discover an echo of the past. Ireland’s landscapes, cities, towns and villages abound with an incredible variety of heritage sites, ranging from prehistoric tombs or stone circles, early monasteries, medieval walled towns, mighty castles, churches and graveyards and landed estates to industrial and agricultural heritage like mines, kilns and mills to more recent cultural sites like handball alleys, traditional houses and architecture or key areas from social history such as battlefields, or sites associated with political struggle”.

Mr. Doyle said:

“At all of the public events the Heritage Council undertakes archaeology is the number one area that the public are interested in. We want to provide opportunities through this scheme to support public access to the often hidden world of archaeology. The Adopt a Monument Scheme is a new way of bringing monuments into the heart of a community.

It offers participants new opportunities to work collaboratively, to undertake research, and to get to know more about the history of the area. For the monuments, the scheme has the potential to ensure ongoing maintenance and care, greater protection through increased civic value, and much higher standards of interpretation and understanding. Ireland has some of the finest archaeology in Europe and to date we have not really understood how valuable a resource this is”.

 
The scheme follows in the successful footsteps of Archaeology Scotland’s Adopt a Monument Scheme. The scheme has the support of Archaeology Scotland and Abarta Heritage.

Applications to participate in the scheme are invited from anyone who would like play a leading role in conserving a monument that they feel passionate about.

The closing date for applications is midnight, 22 January 2016.

Please click here for further information and to download an application form.
- See more at: www.heritagecouncil.ie

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