Mayo projects receive €103,916 under Community Heritage Grant Scheme
EIGHT projects working in Mayo have secured a total of €103,916 in funding under the Heritage Council’s 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme.
The grants enable local communities to conserve and celebrate Ireland’s built, cultural and natural heritage.
Funding recipients in Mayo are:
Friends of Mayo Dark Skies - €24,733
The Michael Davitt National Memorial Company CLG - €6,447
Irish Basking Shark Group - €5,000 (across multiple counties)
Irish Basketmakers Association - €5,798 (across multiple counties)
Turlough Archaeological & Heritage Society - €5,289
Burrishoole Parish - €24,600
Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG - €25,000
Turasoireacht Acla - Achill Tourism - €20,000
The €25,000 awarded to Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG will support the renovation of the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina. The grant will fund the installation of rainwater goods, supporting ongoing efforts by the Ballina Convent Regeneration Group to preserve and restore the 19th-century building.
The €20,000 in funding awarded to Achill Tourism will support the development of a conservation management plan for the Deserted Village at Slievemore, Achill. Stretching over a mile along the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain, the site comprises 80 to 100 stone cottages, some of which were used as seasonal ‘booley’ homes within living memory.
Several funded initiatives operate across Ireland include the second phase of the Gardening for Bats project by Bat Conservation Ireland, which has been awarded €15,583, and a project on the oral histories of Irish show people by the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network, which has been awarded €22,525.
Projects such as these reflect the wide range of initiatives supported by the scheme - from safeguarding historic structures to researching local heritage, restoring habitats, and building biodiversity expertise within communities.
All funded projects can begin work immediately and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Previous recipients in Mayo have used this funding to restore architectural features, digitise local archives, and carry out conservation training - strengthening both the preservation of heritage and the local economy.
In 2024, the scheme funded the Achill Oral Histories Group to undertake an oral history project of the island, supported the Turlough Archaeological & Heritage Society to deliver a Heritage Action Plan for the area, and the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre were awarded funding to add pollinator friendly flowers and plants in Bohola village.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, said: “Community groups and heritage organisations do incredible work in preserving and our natural, cultural and built heritage for generations to come. From conserving historic buildings and graveyards, to digitising archives, restoring monuments, and promoting biodiversity, these initiatives ensure that Ireland’s unique stories, traditions, and places are protected for future generations.
“I am inspired by the creativity and commitment shown by groups across the country, and proud that this scheme continues to empower local communities to safeguard our heritage in all its forms."
Added Dr. Martina Moloney, chairperson of the Heritage Council: “The Heritage Council is committed to empowering communities and ensuring that our shared heritage is preserved and celebrated by all. This scheme reflects that commitment, supporting a diverse range of projects - from conservation and skills training to research and interpretation - that might not otherwise receive funding.
“Initiatives like the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, Adopt a Monument, and Heritage in Schools show how local engagement and national support can combine to deliver real, lasting benefits. The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is a vital part of this approach, helping communities across Ireland protect the places, stories, and traditions that matter most to them.”