The document outlines the functions and responsibilities of the National Monuments Service in Ireland, including archaeological surveys, planning, and the conservation of cultural heritage. It mentions the drafting of a new monuments bill to replace previous legislation and the management of over 139,500 recorded monuments. Additionally, it addresses challenges posed by climate change and the need for effective data management and heritage protection measures.

1. The National Monuments Service

2. Minister
Heather Humphreys
Secretary General
Asst. Secretary
Director
Admin
Chief Archaeologist
Grade 1 (1)
Grade 2 (7)
Grade 3 (20) FTE: 24.6

3. RESOURCES
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 Archaeological Survey of Ireland
 Planning and Licensing
 Conservation and Protection
 Underwater Archaeology Unit
 Archive Unit

4. New Monuments Bill
Replaces National Monuments Acts 1930-2004
Single Register of Monuments with two levels of protection
Protection for newly discovered archaeological monuments of
prescribed classes before entry in Register
Integrated licensing system
Provision to enable the State to ratify several international
conventions in the heritage sphere
 Drafting well advanced with publication likely in 2015
 Further information: Seán Kirwan (sean.kirwan@ahg.gov.ie)

5. DATA MANAGEMENT
 Recorded Monuments 139,500 records
 Monuments in State Care 750 records
 Preservation Orders 560 records
 Shipwrecks 17,500 records (4,000 known locations)
 Resources required to maintain technologies that underpin digital
management of data
 In-house expertise to support on-going development and maintenance
 Future-proofing of existing applications
 Legacy issues need to be resolved e.g. currency, accuracy
 Balancing customer requirements and compliance with open-data policies
at local (e-Government) and EU levels

6. PROTECTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
 The Minister (NMS) is statutory consultee on any application that may impact
on archaeology
 Makes recommendations in respect of pre-planning enquiries, planning
applications and other non-planning referrals (c.6,000 per annum)
 Total permissions issued; 2,678 in 2006 - 649 in 2013 + c.400 in marine
environment
 Codes of Practice (8 utilities)
 In-house or project archaeologists
 Strategic Environmental Assessments;
EIA legislation; Projects of Common Interest
 Legacy issues – reporting, archiving and
feeding into archaeological research (INSTAR)
 Protective measures in new
agri-environment scheme Glas under RDP
 WWI wrecks legally protected from 2015

7. PROTECTION
 Metal detection
 Storm damage

8. CLIMATE CHANGE /ADAPTATION
 More extreme storm events
 Increased precipitation in the west with increased duration of standing water
on poorly drained lands
 Increase in river and coastal flooding
 Rising temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves
 The National Climate Change Adaptation Framework – Building Resilience to
Climate Change – published 2012
 Sectoral Plan being prepared by DAHG relating to all aspects of the built and
natural heritage
 Representation on WG Subland of the
European Marine Board

9. WORLD HERITAGE
 Two World Heritage properties
 Tentative List reviewed in 2010 resulting in
7 nominations
 The Burren and The Royal Sites of Ireland
 Technical Evaluation of The Royal Sites
 Emain Macha (Navan Fort) requires inclusion
in the UK Tentative List
The Royal Sites of Ireland
• Tara
• Rathcroghan
• Dún Ailinne
• Rock of Cashel
• Hill of Uisneach
• Emain Macha (Armagh)
Visit www.worldheritageireland.ie

10. DISSEMINATION / PUBLICATION
Visit us at www.archaeology.ie
Follow us on

12. HERITAGE TOURISM