Minister Joe O’Brien and Fingal TD and Cllr Karen Power have welcomed the approval of a grant by their Green Party colleague, Minister Malcolm Noone, for the Martello Tower in Skerries under the new Community Monuments Fund. The grant will be administered through Fingal County Council.
The core objective of this grant is to assist with the development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports aimed at identifying measures for conservation of the Martello Tower and improved public access .The funding is an investment of essential capital in our valuable archaeological heritage to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public and to stimulate local employment and economic activity.
Speaking about the funding allocation for Skerries Martello Tower, Minister O’Brien said;
This investment will see the start of supports for those working to care for our heritage in Skerries and to ensure the protection and promotion of our archaeological and built heritage. It will see the start of work that will ensure that our heritage in the town is protected as a community asset and made more accessible for residents and visitors in Skerries.
Also welcoming the announcement was Skerries and Balbriggan Councillor, Karen Power who said;
“I want to thank Fingal County Council for recognising the importance and significance of the Martello Tower in Skerries and for putting it forward as a suitable project. Our heritage is so important, especially in these challenging times, in providing recreation, comfort and a sense of well-being to communities in Fingal and I am delighted to see progress on work which will ultimately provide safe public access to Martello Tower.”
