The National Monuments Service manages and protects Ireland’s underwater cultural heritage through:
- Enforcing the statutory protection for all wrecks over 100 hundred years old and underwater archaeological objects in Irish waters;
- Responding to discoveries of historic wrecks and other underwater cultural heritage;
- Considering affording protection to other wrecks in Irish waters if appropriate;
- Regulating activities in respect of protected wrecks and underwater archaeological objects (including any diving on or survey of such wrecks or objects);
- Regulating intrusive activities carried out by Irish nationals and vessels in respect of underwater cultural heritage in international waters;
- Liaising with relevant bodies in regard to marine and other development impacting on underwater cultural heritage;
- Maintaining the statutory inventory of historic wrecks;
- Providing education and outreach in regard to underwater cultural heritage;
- Developing a national strategy on underwater cultural heritage.
For more information on our work on Underwater Cultural Heritage, please email UCH@housing.gov.ie