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Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, today (17 December 2013) published a special supplement to Archaeology Ireland magazine marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of his Department’s Archaeological Survey of Ireland. The ASI is part of the National Monuments Service and is charged with identifying and recording Ireland’s archaeological monuments. The Survey’s records are available to the public on www.archaeology.ie.

The illustrated colour supplement presents a wide selection of accounts from 17 contributors whose varied experiences span the first five decades of the ASI’s operations.

Minister Deenihan commented:

“The primary purpose of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland is to compile and maintain an inventory of all our monuments so that they can be protected, promoted and appreciated by all.”

“Ireland’s unique archaeological heritage provides huge support for the growing cultural tourism sector. As well as giving us an insight into who we are as a people and where we have come from it is, therefore, also a key asset to the economy at both local and national level.”

Minister Deenihan said that his Department is strongly committed to supporting initiatives to highlight the variety and range of cultural and heritage activities Ireland has to offer.

“Making the ASI records available on my Department’s websites opens up a resource that can be harnessed by tourism and cultural bodies while also encouraging and facilitating greater public access to and understanding of our built heritage.”

The supplement marking the first 50 years of the work of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland is included in the winter edition of the Archaeology Ireland magazine, available from all major news agents or from the distributor www.wordwellbooks.com