The NMS provides Open Data for download in a number of file formats and web services in line with the Government’s Open Data Technical Framework and Open Data Directive. Endeavouring to align with “Guideline 11. Publish Data in Open Formats” to increase accessibility and usability.
GIS Web Services
For users with access to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software please note that some NMS open datasets are also available as spatial data web services. By accessing and consuming the web service users are deemed to have accepted the Terms and Conditions. The URLS for the web services are available for each dataset on data.gov.ie.
Please click this link to access the adding live services help guide:
CSV
Some point open data is provided in Comma Separated Value (CSV). This format can be easily integrated into a number of software clients for re-use and analysis. Both the ITM E/ ITM N and the Latitude/Longitude coordinates can be used to display the data in spatial software and easily exported to other software-specific file formats, e.g. GIS Shapefiles, ESRI File Geodatabases, KML, MS Excel, using the defined spatial projection. This will be either;
Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) – 2157
World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84) – 4326
The Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) is provided as a national download in csv format which is updated monthly.
KML/KMZ
KML or KMZ (the zipped version) are a data format developed for Google Maps and Google Earth. They are also readable in other spatial software like QGIS and ArcGIS. Google Earth Pro is the free desktop version of Google Earth and Google Earth Web is the browser version.
Please see step by step guide for a how to guide of opening KML/KMZ files in Google Maps and Google Earth.
SHP
Shapefiles can be generated from CSV data with ITM Eastings/Northings or Latitude/Longitude Coordinates; please see CSV guide. Where provided as downloads, for example SMRZones, they can be added directly into Spatial Software programs such as QGIS and ArcGIS programmes.