Tipperary community groups encouraged to join 'Adopt a Monument' scheme

Community groups in Tipperary are being encouraged to apply to join the Heritage Council’s Adopt a Monument scheme which is all about empowering local communities to become involved in the care and conservation of a much-loved local monument.

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

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The Graves of the Leinstermen in Coolbaun Tipperary was ‘adopted’ by the Arra Historical & Archaeological Society to understand more about the site – a megalithic monument on the slopes of the Arra Mountains overlooking Lough Derg in Co Tipperary.

Folklore links the site to the High King of Ireland, Brian Ború and his role in the ambush and death of the King of Leinster and his retinue.

The monument, however, is thought to date back to prehistory, with the general consensus being that it is some form of megalithic tomb.

The group commissioned a series of geophysical surveys on the site and published a detailed paper on their work at the site in the Journal of Archaeology Ireland and have undertaken numerous walks and talks to share the stories of the site with a wider audience.

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Since the 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.

All over Ireland there is an incredible variety of heritage sites, including ancient tombs, stone circles, early monasteries, castles, churches and graveyards, landed estates, mines, kilns, mills, traditional houses and battlefields.

The Adopt a Monument Scheme takes a very broad view of heritage and is open to applications from enthusiastic community groups 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.

Speaking in support of the scheme Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, at 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 2025.

Further information about the scheme and the application process can be found at https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/aam.