Geological Survey Ireland offers a number of small grants each year to support the sustainable development, promotion and recognition of Ireland's geoheritage. These grants are aimed at local community-driven outreach and development initiatives with a geoheritage theme. The grants are made through an open competitive application process.

Applications for the Geoheritage grant funding are now open for 2024/25. Closing date 30th September 2024.

Geoheritage grants are awarded to support the development and sustainability of Ireland's geoheritage through community-driven geoscience outreach initiatives, including education, geotourism and geoheritage related site preparation, to promote economic growth. Take a look at some of the successful applications from previous years here.

The Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland (MHTI) has supported or led many community ventures to conserve, protect, interpret and promote local mining heritage throughout the country (such as at Allihies Man Engine House, Co. Cork or the Copper Coast, Co. Waterford).

Identification of key mining heritage assets in the county should be a priority action in a County's Heritage Plan. The MHTI would be a key partner in such efforts, especially if funding could be made available to undertake inventory and survey work. MHTI can be contacted through their website below or through the Geoheritage Programme. Supporting locally driven efforts to offer sustainable tourism or alternative farm enterprises related to mine heritage could be an easily deliverable action.

If the county has very little mining heritage, whatever there is should be encompassed within a general inventory of industrial heritage. 

​We provide advice and support to groups or areas on the potential for geotourism either as stand-alone tourism attractions or as regions working towards full UNESCO Global Geopark status. If you are a County Council or community group with an interest in promoting sites of geological importance in your area, please contact us to discuss.