The efforts of 95 community heritage projects were rewarded today by the announcement of the Heritage Council/Ford Ireland Local Heritage Grants.
Almost €385,000 has been allocated to projects throughout the country which promote pride in Ireland's heritage.
Mr Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said "the grants bring to light the amount of hard work that community-based projects undertake all across the country".
The projects which received support include conservation of St Augustine's Well in Clare, completion of the restoration of the Martello Tower on Ardagh Hill and Bere Island in Cork and the development of a database of all Jewish cemeteries in Ireland.
Dublin-based projects include the provision of a hedge school and updated website and the restoration of a section of the Howth tramline as a walking route to link Howth Village with the cliff paths.
The awards were presented at a ceremony in Kilkenny by the chairperson of the Heritage Council, Dr Tom O'Dwyer and Mr Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland.
Mr Murphy said "it is only fitting that we support and acknowledge these community groups for their sterling efforts".