Ireland’s archaeological monuments are tangible remnants of a wonderfully complex and captivating history. Spanning 12,000 years of human settlement, Ireland’s 150,000 known archaeological monuments form a heritage landscape that is embedded in the very fabric of the country.These places hold great significance for communities across Ireland, in towns, villages and the countryside, providing a sense of place, of continuity and change. This heritage serves as a wellspring of inspiration for culture, literature, art, and language. Over the past 150 years, the National Monuments Service and the Office of Public Works have taken direct responsibility for the care of some 1,000 monuments in Ireland, including our two outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Properties, Brú na Boinne and Sceilg Mhichil.The photographs exhibited in this gallery highlight how modern photography may capture the essence of antiquity. Photographing these monuments plays a crucial role in documenting their maintenance, conservation, and monitoring their condition against erosion and extreme weather events. Ireland’s National Monuments Service Photographic Archive houses a vast collection of photographs documenting the care of these monuments over the last 150 years.