National Monuments Service

The National Monuments Service advises the Minister for Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on legislative and policy issues relating to the archaeological heritage and has responsibility for:

• the archaeological management of the National Monuments in State care (the conservation and provision of visitor services at these monuments is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works)
• the maintenance of the statutory Record of Monuments and Places under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994
• the maintenance of a national baseline database of known archaeological sites and monuments (the Sites and Monuments Record) which is available on the Monument Map Viewer
• the implementation of legislation in relation to the protection of sites and monuments (including historic wrecks that are over 100 years old). Provision of access to the Wreck Inventory of Ireland Database through the Wreck Viewer
• the regulation of archaeological excavations, the use of detection devices for archaeological purposes and diving on historic wrecks and other underwater archaeological sites
• the provision of advice to planning and other consent authorities on development proposals which might have an impact on archaeology
• the provision of information on Ireland’s World Heritage properties and World Heritage Programme
• the provision of archaeological advice to a wide range of groups and individuals

For further information on the National Monuments Service, including guidelines, publications, licence application forms and the Monument Map Viewer, please visit the dedicated National Monuments Service website.

If you require further information on any of the topics above please contact us at: