Centenary of Care: State Care monuments
In 2026 HED are marking the centenary of the Ancient Monuments Act (Northern Ireland), 1926. This was a pivotal moment for heritage protection, as it introduced the first legislation enabling monuments to be scheduled, protected and brought into State Care.
State Care monuments
Within a few short years, 330 monuments had been scheduled and 28 placed into State Care. While legislation has evolved since then, the principles established by the 1926 Act continue to underpin everything we do today.
To mark the centenary, Historic Environment Record Northern Ireland (HERoNI) are developing an exhibition in February 2026. This exhibition, presents photographs from the Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI) and stories of 40 monuments now under State Care, including the original 22 monuments included in the 1926 guide, Ancient Monuments of Northern Ireland, published by HM Stationery Office.
Original, now historic cast iron signs from State Care monuments across Northern Ireland, which are now artefacts in themselves form part of this exhibition. A copy of the Ancient Monuments Act (Northern Ireland), 1926 will be on display and guides to State Care monuments published over the past 100 years.
Today, Northern Ireland’s Historic Environment Division (HED) manages 187 State Care Monuments and more than 2,000 Scheduled Historic Monuments.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday 25 February to Friday 17 of April 2026.
State Care Heritage Branch has also commissioned a suite of illustrations inspired by 1920s travel posters, but with a modern feel, to mark the centenary. These focus on a representative spread of State Care monuments across Northern Ireland and are intended to help people connect emotionally with their local heritage, see these places as relevant today, and celebrate 100 years of protection.
Stay tuned for more news and events to mark the centenary.