Want to adopt a monument in Waterford? Now you can!
The Knockboy Church and Graveyard in Waterford was ‘adopted’ by the Knockboy Church Conservation Group in 2017 to secure funding from the Heritage Council for vital conservation works.
The Heritage Council are searching for community groups in Waterford to apply to their Adopt a Monument scheme to help to restore and maintain historical spots across the Déise.
The scheme, which began in 2016, has seen 30 different adoptions take place – from ring forts to 19th century industrial buildings to medieval churches as well as a Gaelic castle - including three in Waterford.
The Heritage Council said “The Adopt a Monument scheme offers communities expertise, mentoring and support to help them to care for their local heritage.” The national historical organisation has pointed to heritage sites across the country that are in the scope for adoption 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 is currently open and seeking applications from community and local groups in Waterford to adopt a site in the Déise to act as a focal point for heritage-related, educational and recreational activities and “will encourage greater appreciation and understanding of local heritage”.
The Knockboy Church and Graveyard in Waterford was ‘adopted’ by the Knockboy Church Conservation Group in 2017 to secure funding from the Heritage Council for vital conservation works. Knockboy medieval church is a fine example of a medieval parish church located in a rural setting in County Waterford. The church is highly significant, as it contains a number of important ogham stones.
Knockboy is one of three historic sites in Co. Waterford that have taken part in the Adopt a Monument scheme. The other sites are two Anglo-Norman mottes - one at Roundhill in Lismore and the other site is at Gallowshill in Dungarvan.
At the launch of the year, Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, described the scheme as “a wonderful way of ensuring our monuments remain an integral part of a community.”
