What is a National Monument in State care?

National monuments in State care include those which are in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Other owners of national monuments are empowered under Section 5 of the National Monuments Act (1930) to appoint the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as guardian of such monuments. This means in effect that while the property of such a monument remains vested in the owner, its maintenance and upkeep are the responsibility of the State. 

Monuments which may be defined as national monuments are also in the ownership or guardianship of Local Authorities which have similar responsibilities under the National Monuments Acts (1930-2004) to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. These monuments are not included in the data sets presented here.