Ancient monuments damaged by modern day life

A drone crashing into an abbey, damage caused by metal detectors, and stones being removed from heritage sites are just some of the issues uncovered last year by the Office of Public Works.

The OPW’s heritage section had to deal with 21 different issues arising at sites around the country last year, which also included the theft of a bottle of €175 brandy from a castle’s international wine museam, defacement of grave slabs, and graffiti.

According to information reveavled under Freedom of Information, one of the more remarkable incidents took place on August 13 when a drone crash-landed and got stuck on Tintern Abbey, New Ross, Co Wexford.