Galway City Council has officially welcomed two recent announcements in relation to two heritage sites in Galway City. The Urban Directorate of the City Council welcomed a €260,000 grant allocation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Community Monuments Fund. The funding will be split between two of the city's most significant heritage sites, with €130,000 dedicated to Menlough Castle and €130,000 allocated to St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.
The second announcement was a grant of €25,000 from the Heritage Council, under the 2026 Community Heritage Grants. The Heritage Section of the City Council supported the preparation of the application.
These financial injections will fund essential repairs, structural conservation, and capital works designed to protect, conserve, and improve the presentation of both structures.
Deputising for the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. John McDonagh, expressed his strong support for the investment:
“Galway City Council’s heritage sector has secured a significant boost with a €260k allocation from the Community Monuments Fund to protect Menlough Castle and St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. This critical funding guarantees the structural repair, long-term conservation, and enhanced presentation of these two iconic landmarks, safeguarding local history for the community's future enjoyment."
Restoration at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
The €130,000 allocation for St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church builds on a successful three -year restoration period that has already transformed the building's South transept. The new funding will target urgent structural repairs to ensure the historic space remains safe for the public.
The Very Rev. Lynda Peilow, Rector of St. Nicholas’, emphasised the dual role of the landmark as both an active parish and a critical piece of regional history:
"This funding is vital for safeguarding the building's rich heritage, allowing for ongoing restoration efforts that reveal previously unknown aspects of its history. While St. Nicholas functions as a living church, it also serves as a heritage site of immense historical importance to Galway."
Continued Conservation at Menlough Castle
Menlough Castle, an iconic 19th-century riverfront ruin along the River Corrib, will use its €130,000 share to advance critical conservation work. The site, formerly the estate of the Blake family before a devastating fire in the early 20th century, has been undergoing continuous stabilization and maintenance.
Jim Higgins Heritage Officer for Galway City Council, noted the importance of the castle's ongoing management:
"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 funding allowing us to continue these critical interventions."
Brendan Dunne, Senior Executive Planner for Architecture and Conservation in Galway City Council noted that St.Nicholas Collegiate Church is a building with significant rich heritage. a church in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart. For over seven centuries, this extraordinary site has welcomed worshippers and visitors alike and the funding again this year will ensure its continuance use as a significant attraction within the city.
The total funding available nationally for projects under Community Monuments Fund 2026 will be €8 million. Applications were assessed on the basis of:
- The significance of the archaeological monument
- The effectiveness of the proposed project in achieving the aims of the fund
- The quality of the methodology and technical merit of the proposed project
- The broader public or community benefit