State care sites and monuments represent all periods of human settlement in Ireland from c.8,000BC to the 20th century.
Monuments are not simply 'educational': monuments may provide distinctive habitats, or offer peace and tranquillity. Visiting monuments can take you to some of the most beautiful parts of Northern Ireland, and you can also enjoy visiting EHS Country Parks.
The first monuments were taken into care by the state in 1869 and there are now 181 sites and monuments protected by DoE Environment and Heritage Service. Some sites have staffed visitor facilities, with set opening hours and entrance charges, but many are un-staffed and remote.
There is an ongoing programme to carry out repair and conservation work and to provide information for visitors. Some monuments may be closed to the public until work is completed to make them safe, others may be temporarily closed for maintenance.
A full list of Historic Monuments in State Care at March 2007 (.PDF.54.4KB)
For enquiries telephone (028) 9054 3037 or e-mail sc@doeni.gov.uk Find out more about monuments open to the public in our 'Places to Visit' section. Or find out about the educational aspects of our historic monuments in our 'Education' section.