Heritage grants are now available

THE Heritage Council is inviting applications from County Wicklow to its Community Heritage Grant scheme.

It’s part of a rescue package for the sector announced by the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan.

The grant scheme aims to support capital projects that improve access and inclusion to heritage sites and that apply good practice to the management of places, collections, objects and buildings. The scheme also supports the purchase of specialised equipment.

Grant applications must be submitted using the Heritage Council’s online application system at www.heritagecouncil. ie by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15.

Deirdre Burns, Heritage Office, Wicklow County Council, said: ‘ The heritage sector is facing serious challenges, including business closures and job losses, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months of COVID related disruption and lockdown the contribution that natural, built and cultural heritage makes to our quality of life became very apparent.

‘ The announcement therefore that €550,000 will be made available nationally this year for the Community Grant Scheme is most welcome and goes some way to providing much needed investment for heritage initiatives in Wicklow.’

Grants of up to €15,000 can be awarded. Funding of up to 80 per cent of the project cost can be sought. Match funding by way of voluntary contributions or benefit in kind is acceptable.