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National monument (Ireland) facts for kids

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Irish national monument notice 2
A typical notice (Irish: fógra) at a National Monument. This sign tells you it's a protected historical site.

A national monument (Irish: séadchomhartha náisiúnta) in the Republic of Ireland is a very old building or special place. It's considered super important to the country's history and culture. Because of this, the government protects it. Sometimes, the land around the monument is also protected to keep it safe.

In Northern Ireland, similar places are called scheduled monuments. They are looked after by a different government department there.

Protecting Our History

Our national monuments are cared for by the National Monuments Service. This group is part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They make sure these important sites stay safe for everyone to enjoy.

Laws That Protect Monuments

Special laws called the National Monuments Acts help protect these sites. The first big law was made in 1930. Since then, more laws have been added to help protect even more places.

Today, there are nearly 1,000 national monuments that the state owns or helps look after. This includes famous places like the Rock of Cashel and Newgrange. Each national monument has its own special number. Sometimes, one number can even cover a group of important sites in one area.

Protecting Monuments for the Future

It's very rare, but sometimes a national monument might need to be changed or moved. This only happens if it's absolutely necessary for a big public project, like building a new road. Even then, it's a very careful decision made by the Government of Ireland.

World Heritage Sites

Main article: List of World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland

Some national monuments are so special that they are also recognized by UNESCO. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that helps protect important places around the world. These extra-special sites are called World Heritage Sites.

Ireland has two national monuments that are also World Heritage Sites:

  • Brú na Bóinne in County Meath. This includes ancient passage tombs like Newgrange.
  • Skellig Michael in County Kerry. This is an old monastery on a rocky island.

Where to Find National Monuments

Ireland has many national monuments spread across its different counties and provinces. These sites help us learn about Ireland's long and interesting past.

You can find lists of national monuments by province:

Connacht Monuments

Main article: List of national monuments in Connacht

Leinster Monuments

Main article: List of national monuments in Leinster

Munster Monuments

Main article: List of national monuments in Munster

Ulster Monuments

Main article: List of national monuments in Ulster

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Monumento Nacional (Irlanda) para niños

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