The Archaeological Survey of Ireland

• The purpose of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is to compile an inventory of  archaeological monuments.
  
• Its archive contains records of all known or possible monuments pre-dating 1700 AD that have been brought to its attention and also includes a selection of monuments from the post-1700 AD period.
  
• There are almost 140,000 records in the database and approximately 131,000 of these relate to archaeological monuments.
• The Archaeological Survey of Ireland operates a flat or simplified hierarchical 'term list' for classification purposes and has provided in its search facility a 'scope note' for each term which may also include guidance on its use. As the terms have evolved over time they cannot be considered exhaustive or comprehensive. They are indicative of ASI record holdings and reflect the incremental and organic manner in which material has been added to the archive over many years, especially for monuments dating from the post-1700 AD period. While every effort has been made to ensure consistency of use the terms should be considered as a fairly authoritative guideline only. 

Sites and Monuments Record

• Access Sites and Monuments Database.
• The information in the ASI archive was issued on a county basis between 1984 and 1992 as the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR).
• The SMR, revised in the light of further research and fieldwork, formed the basis for the statutory Record of Monuments and Places (established under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act (1994)). Similar in format to the SMR, these were issued for each county in the State between 1995 and 1998.
• The SMR information provided on this website includes geographical details, such as the townland name and Irish Grid co-ordinates. The classification of each monument is also given and, in certain instances, a brief description is provided.
  

Archaeological Survey of Ireland Archive

• Additional detailed information on the monuments is contained in the original record files of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. These may be inspected at the National Monuments Service Archive, 6 Ely Place Upper, Dublin 2. The archive is open to the public every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) between the hours of 10am and 5pm. The archive will open on Tuesdays following Bank Holidays.  
  
• To make an appointment please contact the archive either by telephone (01) 8883083 (from Ireland) / +353 1 8883083 (from outside Ireland) or by email nmarchive@environ.ie.