Mayo TD welcomes funding allocation to three monuments
Deputy Keira Keogh TD has welcomed the allocation of €236,251.10 in funding to three Mayo monuments under the 2026 Community Monuments Fund. Under Stream 1 funding, the Augustinian Abbey in Ardnaree Ballina will receive €121,516.60, and Lough Lannagh Castle €100,000, while Inishkea Cross Slab will get €14,734.50 under Stream 3. The announcement by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, sees a total of 104 heritage projects awarded over €8 million for 2026.
Deputy Keogh said: “I am delighted to see Mayo feature in this funding allocation for 2026, these three historic buildings are hugely important in terms of the preservation of our built heritage in Mayo.
"I congratulate Deirdre Cunningham, Heritage Officer for Mayo, and her team in highlighting the value of these structures as archaeological and educational tools to learn about our past.
“The local heritage groups that are working tirelessly on the ground in Mayo are instrumental in bringing focus to the built heritage of our county by their dedication to the recording, archiving and the celebrating of our tangible and intangible heritage.
“I know how important the Inishkea Islands are in terms of learning more about our past. The designs on the cross slabs are indicating that Inishkea was an important centre in early Christian times for carving as the designs are similar to those of manuscripts like the Cathach of St Colmcille.
"The islands themselves have become very popular with tourists and visitors to the area, placing it among their ‘to do list highlight’.
She added: “But it has always been the local people who have tried to preserve and mind these structures, that is why they have lasted as long. Having the National Monuments Service, the local Authority Heritage Officers, heritage professionals and local communities working together, means that these monuments can become more accessible to the public.
“The ruined castle in Lough Lannagh has a very interesting history dating back probably to around the 1580’s and while it is in a very sad state of repair at the moment, I am hopeful that this funding will go in some way to developing a plan to restore and preserve the structure so that it can become more accessible in the future.”
Keira Keogh TD concluded: “I am amazed by the many undiscovered heritage sites in Mayo and will continue to support my constituents in recognising the importance of these sites and assist in bringing funding to underpin the protection and preservation of these projects.”