Galway City Council has welcomed a grant of €250K for two Galway City projects, as part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage ‘Community Monuments Fund’ announced earlier this month. Funds to the value of €130,000 will be invested in Menlough Castle, with €120,000 to be invested in St Nicholas Collegiate Church. The funding will be used for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repairs at both structures.
Speaking about the award of funding, Cllr Níall McNelis, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, commented, “I’m delighted to see this very significant award of €250K to Galway City Council to safeguard two very important monuments/ protected structures into the future. The award under the Community Monuments Fund means that these two iconic monuments will be conserved, protected, and their presentation improved, for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.”
The Very Rev. Lynda Peilow, the rector, emphasised the importance of grant funding in preserving the fabric and historical significance of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. She said that, “This funding is vital for safeguarding the building's rich heritage, allowing for ongoing restoration efforts that reveal previously unknown aspects of its history.” Provost Lynda also highlighted that, “While St. Nicholas functions as a living church, it also serves as a heritage site of immense historical importance to Galway.” She expressed gratitude for the support that enables the urgent work needed to address immediate issues. Over the past two years, the grant funding has facilitated a transformation of the South transept of the church, restoring it to a semblance of its former glory.
Describing the proposed works, Brendan Dunne, Senior Executive Planner said, “Menlough Castle is an iconic landmark on the river Corrib, once home to the Blake family until it was destroyed by fire in the early 20th century. Significant works were undertaken to conserve the castle in recent years, with the allocated €130,000 funding supporting consolidation and repair works to the internal spine wall, and the commencement of works to the distinctive East ‘front’ façade, including repairs to the impressive windows.”
“Likewise St Nicholas Collegiate Church is “a church in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart” – and a place of considerable historical significance for the people of Galway for over 700 years, as the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship. This €120,000 funding will support the completion of repairs to east wall of the South transept, which has been ongoing over the last number of years; in additional external repairs to the belfry tower will be undertaken”.
The total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2025 will be €7.5 million. Applications were assessed on the basis of:
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The significance of the archaeological monument
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The effectiveness of the proposed project in achieving the aims of the fund
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The quality of the methodology and technical merit of the proposed project
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The broader public or community benefit
Two out of a total of 23 successful ‘Stream 1’ projects were based in Galway City.
