Historical society want to celebrate medieval grounds
A community group in Cork has been chosen for a scheme which help them to protect, preserve and promote their local heritage.
Donoughmore Church and Graveyard was recently selected for inclusion in the Heritage Council’s Adopt a Monument Scheme.
This medieval church and graveyard is of enormous significance to the local community and has been cared by them for centuries. The site was possibly constructed on an early medieval monastic site associated with St Lachtin. The 12th century shrine of St Lachtin’s Arm (now displayed in the National Museum of Ireland) is believed to have come from here.
Donoughmore Historical Society want to celebrate and conserve the site to ensure its safety for future generations and they are keen to learn more about its story, and to continue to raise awareness about its significance.
Working in partnership with communities and state bodies, the Adopt a Monument Scheme helps to ensure the sustainable future of the adopted monuments. It also offers communities a way of promoting pride in place and pride in Ireland’s past, as well as opportunities to develop and understand the story of a locality, to work collaboratively, to get active, participate in community development and to boost tourism, business and employment opportunities.
Following a call for applications in March 2025, a large number of community groups applied to adopt a monument in their locality. Eight sites were chosen following a selection process that also involved the National Monuments Service, The Heritage Council, The Discovery Programme, a community archaeologist, and Abarta Heritage.
Speaking about the sites chosen, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said: “As custodians of our nation's heritage, we recognise that this Scheme is not merely about safeguarding our historic monuments; it's about safeguarding our collective memory, our identity, and our stories, and the active involvement of local communities is paramount.
"We aim to empower these individuals, providing them with the resources and support they need to make a tangible difference. The impact of caring for our local monuments transcends mere restoration; it fosters a profound sense of pride within communities, transforming sometimes forgotten spaces into vibrant ones, and presents an opportunity to educate through community engagement.”