The Heritage Council is a statutorily independent body, established under the Heritage Act, 1995, and funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.

The Council’s statutory functions include proposing policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage.



National Heritage is defined as including monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects such as art and industrial works, documents and genealogical records, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens, parks and inland waterways. The Council has a particular responsibility to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the national heritage.