OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
National Monuments
The major area of work of National Monuments involves the preservation, protection, maintenance, conservation, management and presentation of National Monuments in State care. It staffed by administrators, professionals, technicians, crafts/trade persons and general operatives.
There are almost 750 monuments, or groups of monuments, in this category. National monuments in State care range from the Neolithic period, such as Newgrange, which is over 5,000 years old, to Pearse's cottage in Ros Muc, Co. Galway, which was built in the 20th century. In between, there are examples of monuments from every period and of different classifications:
- early Christian/medieval monuments such as the Rock of Cashel, Skellig Michael, Clonmacnoise and Glendalough;
- medieval castles, abbeys and tower houses such as Cahir Castle, Trim Castle, Mellifont Abbey, Jerpoint Abbey, Aughanure castle;
- late medieval monuments such as Charlesfort at Kinsale, Co. Cork; and
- from the 18th and 19th century, the Casino at Marino, the Swiss Cottage and Kilmainham Goal.
Work on National Monuments is operated on a site/project specific or geographical basis. The country is divided into six regions. The bulk of the conservation and restoration work undertaken at national monuments in State care is carried out by a direct labour force operating from the six regional depots at Athenry, Dromahair, Trim, Kilkenny, Mallow and Killarney. Each region has a depot, which is managed by a works manager who reports to the senior architect for the region. The works manager is in charge of a team of industrial staff (craft/trade workers and general operatives).
A complete listing of recorded National Monuments is now available - National Monuments listing