Historic Environment

Historic places to visit

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The Department’s Historic Environment Division (HED) maintains a wide range of historic sites across Northern Ireland from large castles to small prehistoric monuments. The first monuments were taken into care by the state in 1869 and there are now circa 186 single, groups or complexes of sites and monuments managed by HED. Known as State Care Monuments, they’re among the most important historic places in Northern Ireland.

List of monuments

HED State Care Monuments are amongst the best known historic landmarks and tourist destinations in Northern Ireland.  Follow the links below to find out more; including location and access information and a brief description of the historic background to each.

Please note we are currently working on adding the sites online - updating on a regular basis until all are listed.

Sites open to the public

Co Antrim

Co Armagh

Co Down

Co Fermanagh

Co Londonderry

Co Tyrone

Sites closed to the public

Co Antrim

Co Armagh

Co Down

Co Londonderry

Co Tyrone

Dog policy at Historic Environment properties

HED recognises that part of the appeal of many of its sites is the open space experience which they can offer. This can be particularly attractive to dog owners who may otherwise have limited opportunities to exercise their dogs in open spaces.  However, HED also recognises that dogs which are not properly controlled can impair the visitor experience.  At times some dogs can be dangerous; they can alarm or annoy other site users; damage the fabric of a monument; present a health risk; and that dog faeces, at any of HED’s sites, incur additional clean up costs and spoil a visit.

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