Where are the archaeological monuments and sites in Offaly?
For information about the 4000 plus archaeological monuments and sites in County Offaly the best place to start is www.archaeology.ie. This is the Department of National Monuments Service website and if you click into 'Archaeological Survey Data Base' (bottom left of screen) you can see red dots showing all recorded archaeological sites and blue for architectural sites. Click onto any one of these dots for further information.
Reporting a New Archaeological Monument or Site
If you have found a site that is not recorded on the Record of Monuments and Places (or on the map on www.archaeology.ie) you can report it to the National Monuments Service at 01 6313800 or by completing the Monument Report Form.
If you find an Archaeological Object...
As there is no county museum or designated repository in Offaly (see Cultural Institutions Act 1997), all archaeological objects that come to light should, by law, be deposited with the National Museum as they belong to the State. (Under the National Monuments Amendment Act 1994). If you do find an item you should call the National Museum within 48 hours. Tel 01-6777444.
Carrying Out Works at or within the vicinity of an Archaeological Monument or Site
Under the National Monuments Acts (1930 – 1994) it is the requirement of owners and occupiers to inform the Minister two months in advance, of their intention to carry out any works to or within the vicinity of a National Monument. ALL applications should be sent to:
National Monuments Service
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Room G50
Custom House
Dublin 1
Email: nationalmonuments@chg.gov.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 2178
Web: www.archaeology.ie
Viewing Maps & Images of sites on screen
www.osi.ie is very useful to look at the 1st and 2nd edition Ordnance Survey Maps - click on the map of Ireland interactive map and type address into 'search'. These are also the base maps on www.archaeology.ie. For aerial maps www.bing.com/maps gives excellent aerial views.
National Monuments Service Archive
See the Information Booklet on the Services of the National Monuments Service Archive Unit for information about visiting the archive in Dublin.
Useful Offaly Archaeology Publications
- The Medieval Churches of County Offaly, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Caimin O'Brien, Govt of Ireland (1998)
- Stories from a Sacred Landscape, Croghan Hill to Clonmacnoise, Caimin O'Brien, Offaly County Council (2006)
- A1 Poster Monuments in Offaly -- is available from Offaly History on Bury Quay, Tullamore
Download leaflet on Advice to the Public on Use of Metal Detection Devices and their Impact on our Archaeological Heritage