Is Metal Detecting for archaeological objects legal in the Irish Republic? " Summary of Key Points The unregulated and inappropriate use of detection devices causes serious damage to Ireland’s archaeological heritage and is subject to severe penalties under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 It is illegal to be in possession of a detection device at monuments and sites protected under the National Monuments Acts to use a detection device to search for archaeological objects anywhere within the State or its territorial seas; without the prior written consent of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Archaeological objects are broadly defined in the National Monuments Acts and objects may come within the terms of the definition regardless of their age or degree of antiquity, e.g. 20th century material It is illegal to promote the sale or use of detection devices for the purposes of searching for archaeological objects It is illegal to dig or excava...
My blog looks at the archaeology and heritage of sites in Tipperary and surrounding areas. As many of these sites are on private property, it is important to request permission from the landowner before entering private lands so that access does not become a problem across all sites.