Four Clare projects are among the 139 to be funded across all 31 local authorities under the Community Monuments Fund.

A total of €4.2m has been allocated under the fund which represents a €1m increase on last year when it was first established. Kilkerrin Battery Fort (€29,129), Clonrush Burial Ground (€30,351), Templemaley Church and Burial Ground (€13,478) and Kilfenora Cathedral (€29,950) are the four Clare projects selected, two nominations from the county were unsuccessful in their bid for funding.

Kilkerrin Battery Fort located near Labasheeda was built by British forces between 1811 and 1814, it was one of half of dozen structures constructed to stop a threatened invasion by Napoleonic forces. It remained in use for much of the 19th century and later fell into disrepair but since the 1980s, there have been efforts made to restore this 200-year-old structure.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) believed the funding for Kilkerrin “will make a significant difference to these efforts by the community of Labasheeda”.

Clonrush Burial Ground is the only Stream 1 project approved in Clare, essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair or archaeological monuments have been sanctioned.