Our role as archaeological custodians

FARMERS as custodians of the countryside play an invaluable role in protecting and maintaining our natural and built heritage.

That view is particularly important at this time of the year when farmers tend to focus on repairing machinery, restoring fences and repairing farm buildings.

It is important work but much of it is also crucial from a heritage viewpoint. The message from the Heritage Council of Ireland that farming is about more than food production is, therefore, an apt one. Many of Ireland’s 120,000 known archaeological monuments are found for instance in the countryside. Only a small number are in state care or ownership.