Reporting possible damage or a threat to a Monument
Protection which applies to Recorded and Registered Monuments
Protection which applies to National Monuments
Reporting possible damage or threat to a Monument
The National Monuments Service is reliant on landowners and the general public in fulfilling its role in the protection and preservation of our archaeological heritage and the assistance of the public is gratefully appreciated.
If you wish to report possible damage to a monument please contact the National Monuments Service by phoning 01 8882000 or e-mailing nationalmonuments@housing.gov.ie as soon as possible.
Monument Protection
At present, a monument is protected in one of four ways: –
- It is recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP).
- It is registered in the Register of Historic Monuments (RHM).
- It is a national monument subject to a preservation order (or temporary preservation order).
- It is a national monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage or a Local Authority.
Different levels of protection apply to a monument depending on which of the four categories it falls under. Anyone proposing to carry out work at or in relation or in proximity to a monument should be aware of the following:
Protection which applies to Monuments on the Record of Monuments and Places and Register of Historic Monuments
The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) is the most widely applying provision of the National Monuments Acts. It comprises a list of recorded monuments and places and accompanying maps on which such monuments and places are shown for each county. It can be consulted in county libraries and main local authority offices and an electronic copy may be accessed here. The National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will advise on the protection applying to any particular monument or place under the National Monuments Acts by reason of it being entered in the Record of Monuments and Places and should be consulted if there is any doubt as to the status of the site.
Examination of information available at our Archaeological Survey Database can be of assistance in checking whether a graveyard/monument is likely to be subject to legal protection under the National Monuments Acts, but is not conclusive. Accordingly, it is the printed lists and maps as referred to above which must be relied on. If you are in any doubt regarding the existence of a monument on your property or the level of protection which applies to the monument please contact the National Monuments Service.
When the owner or occupier of a property, or any other person proposes to carry out, or to cause, or to permit the carrying out of any work at or in relation to a Recorded Monument or a Registered Monument they are required to give notice in writing to the Minister 2 months before commencing that work. This is to allow the National Monuments Service time consider the proposed works and how best to proceed to further the protection of the monument.
Any notification of works at or in relation to a Recorded or Registered Monument should be given using this form - Ministerial Notification - Works at/near Monument - and forwarded to nationalmonuments@housing.gov.ie marked "Notification under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004".
Protection which applies to National Monuments
For national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a Local Authority or which are subject to a preservation order or temporary preservation order, the prior written consent of the Minister is required for any works at or in proximity to the monument.
Lists of national monuments in the Minister’s ownership or guardianship (by county) can be accessed here. A list is also available of national monuments subject to Preservation Orders. It should be noted that these lists may not be exhaustive and if you have any doubt as to the status of a particular monument, you should contact the National Monuments Service. For a list of national monuments in the ownership of individual local authorities please contact the relevant local authority.
Applications for Ministerial Consent should be made using this form - NMS 5-2023 Consent Application Form and returned to:
The Director National Monuments Service Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Custom House Dublin 1Full details of location, ownership and works proposed should be provided. Please see publications for additional advice.
Breach of these requirements is an offence. It is also an offence under the National Monuments Acts to dig or excavate anywhere for the purpose of uncovering archaeological features without or otherwise than in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Protection of Wrecks
There is robust legislation in place to protect wrecks and archaeological objects in Ireland’s inland waters (including inland waterways, lakes etc. and coastal inlets and bays) and coastal waters (out to 24 nautical miles to the outer limit of what is known as the Contiguous Zone). Wrecks over 100 years old and archaeological objects underwater irrespective of age are automatically protected. More information is available on the Protection of Wrecks (PDF Document).
Wrecks of heritage interest of any age (including but not limited to ones that are less than 100 years old) and archaeological objects, or the potential location of such wrecks or archaeological objects, can also be protected by an Underwater Heritage Order. Information on Underwater Heritage Orders and a list of Orders made to date is available in Underwater Heritage Orders.