The National Monuments Acts 1930-2014 are the primary pieces of legislation that afford protection to Ireland’s heritage, with the 1987 Amendment Act the first to protect underwater cultural heritage (UCH). The new Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 will strengthen further the protection of underwater archaeology in Ireland. In implementing the legislation in regard to UCH, the National Monuments Service (NMS) is guided appropriately by policies, such as those set out in the Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage.
To ensure we protect this rich underwater heritage in the best way possible the National Monuments Service is progressing the preparation of a National Strategy for the Management and Protection of Ireland’s Underwater Cultural Heritage. This will be an overarching framework providing a broad, visionary approach for our underwater heritage for the next 10 years, informed by wide-ranging engagement across a diverse spectrum of stakeholders including government, educational, professional and community.
The Wreck Inventory of Ireland Database and Wreck Viewer, both of which are publicly accessible online, is also a critical tool when considering the wider management needs to protect UCH. The Inventory informs not just on new discoveries or monitoring of known sites but for activities incidentally affecting UCH, such as development impacts, etc.
The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 contains provisions that, when commenced, will enable Ireland to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. While the protection of UCH within its own jurisdiction has been in place since 1987, it has recently been clarified in maritime legislation that this jurisdiction extends to 24 nautical miles off the baseline. Ratification of the 2001 Convention will enable Ireland, through an international cooperative regime, to protect UCH beyond the 24nm limit.
Underwater Heritage Orders
The minister may also issue Underwater Heritage Orders if a wreck, area or object is considered to be of sufficient historical, archaeological or artistic importance to merit such protection.
- Lough Donogher [PDF, 5.6MB]
- Wreck of the Lusitania [PDF, 1.7Mb ]
- River Shannon at Ballymacegan Island [PDF, 0.4MB]
For more information about our work on Underwater Cultural Heritage, please email UCH@housing.gov.ie