Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed the start of the scheme, which forms a key element of a conservation-led effort to safeguard and enhance significant memorials across the area while deepening public understanding of the district's shared history and traditions.

A focal point of remembrance in the village, the Sion Mills memorial honours those who died in the First and Second World Wars and remains central to local commemorations.

Specialist contractor Irish Stone is delivering the on-site works, with Consarc Design Group providing conservation architecture expertise to ensure all interventions follow established heritage best practice.

The project includes specialist cleaning and stonemasonry repairs, the careful reinstatement of gold gilding to inscriptions to improve legibility, and a series of site and accessibility upgrades. These will introduce new paving, benches, planters, a wreath rail and poppy cross holders to create a more welcoming setting for reflection. Research to inform new interpretation panels is also under way.

The Sion Mills scheme sits within a broader programme covering memorials in Derry City, Strabane and Castlederg, featuring specialist stone conservation, maintenance, landscaping and accessibility enhancements to safeguard these heritage assets for future generations.

Alongside the physical works, a cross-community outreach programme led by RAPID, North West Cultural Partnership and Creggan Enterprises will engage schools, community groups and organisations across the district, encouraging learning about the memorials' historical significance, shared heritage, and themes of remembrance, peace and reconciliation.

The initiative supports the Council's District Heritage Plan by protecting, conserving and celebrating the area's natural, built and cultural heritage, and by promoting wider community engagement with local history. Karen Phillips, Director of Environment and Regeneration at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said: "We are delighted to see restoration works now underway at the Sion Mills War Memorial as part of this important PEACE Plus funded conservation project.

"The memorial holds significant importance within the local community as a place of remembrance and reflection. Through this investment, we are ensuring that it is carefully conserved and enhanced for future generations while improving accessibility and the overall setting of the site.

"The programme of works will include specialist conservation and repair works, the reinstatement of gold gilding to the memorial's inscriptions, and the introduction of new site features including benches, planters, a wreath rail and poppy cross holders. Together, these improvements will help create a more accessible and welcoming environment for commemorative activity and public engagement.

"The restoration programme is about much more than preserving historic structures. Through the accompanying outreach activities, we are creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds and traditions to come together, learn about our shared history and engage in meaningful conversations around local history, understanding and reconciliation.

"The project also contributes to the ambitions set out in Council's District Heritage Plan by protecting an important built heritage asset, improving public access and understanding, and encouraging people to engage more deeply with the places and stories that have shaped our district.

"Supported through the PEACE Plus Programme, this project reflects Council's commitment to protecting our built heritage, promoting peace and fostering stronger, more connected communities. We look forward to seeing the transformation of the memorial over the coming months and to working with our partners to maximise the positive impact of this important initiative."

The restoration programme aligns with Council commitments to conserve key heritage sites, improve accessibility, support education and interpretation, and strengthen connections between people and place. Works at Sion Mills are due to be completed in November this year.