Meet the Tipperary communities who have ‘Adopted’ their local monuments

Two monuments in Co. Tipperary have recently been selected for inclusion in the Heritage Council’s Adopt a Monument Scheme. This innovative scheme offers communities direct access to expertise, mentoring and support to help them to protect, preserve, and promote their local heritage.

The Tipperary sites include a sweat house located in the forest at Doonane near Killoscully and Glenkeen church and graveyard near Borrisoleigh.

Doonane sweat house, hidden away in a forest close to a stream is one of the few remaining sweat houses in Co. Tipperary. Sweat houses were a type of traditional sauna, and many date to the 17th–19th century. The sweat house in Doonane is in a very vulnerable state after deteriorating rapidly over recent years. Killoscully Development Association want to work with Coillte (the landowners), to find out more about the site and conserve it so that it is safe for many years to come.

Glenkeen is a significant church site that has a connection to the 7th century saint Culán, whose holy bell was found in the hollow of a nearby tree, (this important reliquary is now on display in the British Museum). The site features a medieval church in ruins surrounded by a historic graveyard. Glenkeen Heritage and Cultural Society is keen to ensure the long-term preservation of this site and promote it as a local attraction.

These two sites showcase the wealth of heritage that can be found in Co. Tipperary and 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.”

The Adopt a Monument Scheme is an initiative of The Heritage Council and is managed by Abarta Heritage. Support in surveying and investigation work for several sites will be provided by the Discovery Programme, which is the State’s leading body for archaeological research.