About

You are here:

The Department's Role

Role of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

  • The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is the Government’s lead agency for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Ireland.
  • The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the Government Agency responsible for the management and conservation  of our World Heritage sites
  • The Heritage Policy Unit in the Department is the focal point, or point of interface with UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
  • The National Parks and Wildlife Unit of the Department is responsible for the protection and conservation of the natural habitats and landscape elements of our world heritage sites

The Department is responsible for

  • The conservation of our national heritage
  • The development of heritage policy and legislative framework
  • Increasing public awareness and appreciation of our national heritage

How do we do this?

  • By providing financial supports (conservation grants to Local Authorities, the Heritage Council and the public)
  • Supporting the work of the Heritage Council and the Irish Heritage Trust
  • Archaeological/Architectural Surveys
  • Policy and legislative reviews
  • We are represented on the National Committee of Ireland to UNESCO. Successful nomination and management of Irish World Heritage Sites
  • We work in conjunction with the Office of Public Works to ensure the preservation of our World Heritage sites