The National Museum of Ireland has issued a leaflet containing advice concerning the use of metal detectors which is summarised below.
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 1930-2004.
l 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 Arts, 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 excavate for archaeological objects, or to dive on a protected wreck, anywhere in the State or its territorial seas, without the prior written consent of the Minister.
Anyone who finds an archaeological object must report it to the National Museum of Ireland or designated local museum within 96 hours.
Only the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht may grant consent to use a detection device for archaeological purposes – membership of any organisation or body or the sourcing of equipment from a particular supplier does not provide compliance with the law.
For further information, you may also contact:
National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Custom House, Dublin 1;
Email – ; Tel: 01-8882169.
The Duty Officer, Irish Antiquities Division, National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2;
Email – ; Tel: 01-6777444.