A total of €35,000 in in funding has been allocated to carry out essential repairs and maintenance on the iconic O’Connell Monument in Ennis. Funding was allocated as part of more than €4.3 million set aside under this year’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS)
The funding will go towards ‘emergency and stabilisation’ works on the O’Connell Monument.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Joe Carey said, “The funding is being released as we move to phase 2 of the Government’s roadmap to reopen our economy to ease the Covid-19 restrictions. It will help provide employment for many small businesses, conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity in Clare.
“These schemes will play a vital role in helping local communities to regenerate the areas where they live and work, and to protect our built heritage for future generations. 
“As the phased reopening of our economy continues, it is hoped it will be possible that many of the projects under the two Built Heritage Capital grant schemes can proceed without further delay.
Announcing the overall funding details, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, said: “I would like to thank the local authorities for their assistance in administering these schemes. I would also like to acknowledge the response of private owners and their willingness to invest their time and money in caring for our built heritage.
“I am delighted to be able to continue investing in our built heritage.”