Unique initiative launched to allow Clare communities 'adopt a monument'

Community groups in Clare are being encouraged to take part in a unique initiative which empowers local communities to become involved in the care and conservation of a much-loved local monument.

The Heitage Council's Adopt a Monument scheme offers communities expertise, mentoring and support to help them to care for their local heritage.

One example of such a monument in Clare is the Kilkerrin Battery Fort in Labasheeda. It was ‘adopted’ by the Labasheeda Projects Group in 2019 to preserve the site for future generations.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: Grand marshals announced for this year’s Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade

In the early 1800s, battery forts were built along the Shannon Estuary to repel a threatened invasion by Napoleonic forces. Kilkerrin Battery Fort, near the village of Labasheeda, is a well-preserved example of this type of fort, its stout walls have withstood the elements for over two centuries. Built between 1811 and 1814, the battery remained in use throughout much of the nineteenth century. It eventually fell into disrepair until restoration work was undertaken in the 1980s by a local group.

With funding from the Heritage Council, the Labasheeda Projects Group commissioned ecological and architectural surveys and developed a walking trail to the site.

Since the Adopt a Monument scheme first began in 2016, 30 groups across Ireland have ‘adopted’ monuments in their locality ranging from ring forts to 19th century industrial buildings to medieval churches as well as a Gaelic castle.

The Scheme takes a very broad view of heritage and is open to applications from enthusiastic community groups in Clare and all over Ireland to apply to the scheme to adopt a site that is important to them.

The aim is that the chosen monument will serve as a focal point for heritage-related, educational and recreational activities and will encourage greater appreciation and understanding of local heritage.

READ ALSO: Public water supply in north Clare removed from EPA's 'vulnerable' list

Speaking in support of the scheme Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said: “The Adopt a Monument Scheme is a wonderful way of ensuring our monuments remain an integral part of a community. Maintaining them and caring for them requires much-needed expertise and resources which is exactly what the scheme provides. We can already see the positive effect the scheme has had on the areas where a monument was adopted, and the pride of place and increased civic value brought about the efforts of our dedicated community groups is very satisfying to see.”

The Heritage Council is now calling for interested groups to apply for the scheme. The closing date for applications is March 21 -  click here for more details.