Its illegal to metal detect here in Ireland :( I was going to buy a metal detector until I found out this! But , I live near the border so I could go up to the north of Ireland (Northern Ireland ,which is a different country) and metal detect its legal there :)
All that I know that it's highly restricted. The law of metal detecting in R.O.I is totally different than to northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Its illegal to use a metal detector in Ireland without a license and you must be a professional archaeologist to apply for a license in the first place and If caught searching for archaeological items you can receive up to 3 years in jail or 100,000 euro fine! Ive found this online hope it helps!
Unfortunately it's technically illegal to use a metal detector in Ireland -
Its completely banned around any areas or sites of archaeological interest, and if used ELSEWHERE you're assumed to be looking for archaeological items! If charged its up to you to prove otherwise.
Subject to the provisions of this section a person shall not:
Use or be in possession of a detection device in, or at the site of, a monument of which the Commissioners or a local authority are the owners or guardians or in respect of which a preservation order is in force or which stands registered in the Register or
2a. in an archaeological area that stands registered in the Register or
3a. in a Registered area
OR
b: Use, at a place other than a place specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, a detection device for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects or
c: Promote, whether by advertising or otherwise, the sale or use of detection devices for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects.
Note: `Archaeological area' is defined as ` an area which the Commissioners consider to be of archaeological importance but does not include the area of a historical monument standing entered in the Register'.
Section 40 states that `Where in a prosecution for an offence under this section it is proved that a detection device was used, it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that the device was being used for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects'.
That sounds like a sensible way to protect sensitive archaeological sites from being destroyed by people looking for artifacts to sell for a profit. If you say you're looking for the history, leave it for the historians and archaeologists to look at so they can have a more sophisticated analysis than an amateur ever could manage. Metal detecting in the UK has all sorts of problems associated with it relating to archaeological sites, and I'm all for supporting laws that restrict metal detecting if those laws have the intended effect.
Basicially yes - If the authorities catch you with a metal detector in the Republic you will go to jail and you will not collect $200. Here in Northern Ireland things are a bit more relaxed but if you are caught near any heritage site, or archaeological site with a metal detector be prepared for some serious explaining to large policemen with guns.
If you detect on someones land without their permission - again, be prepared to outrun some large dogs or, as every farmer has a shotgun, outrun the buckshot.
Best to ask permission here first - but no one will give it. There's too much chance of something ... dodgy... having been burried from the activities of the last few decades.
There are many countries in Europe where metal detecting is illegal. I wasn't aware that Ireland was one of them, but in retrospect, given the high demand that ancient Irish/Celtic artefacts would have abroad, I'm not surprised.
Quote: But , I live near the border so I could go up to the north of Ireland (Northern Ireland ,which is a different country) and metal detect its legal there :)
You might find difficulty on your way home, in bringing your metal detector back across the border.
Britain may be more open to detectorists, but it's still not "open slather" (as we say here in Australia). There are still laws a detectorist needs to abide by, especially if they actually find something. If you want to experience metal detecting without fear of breaking the law, I'd suggest getting in touch with one of the metal detecting clubs in mainland Britain and go on a holiday there; rent or borrow a detector over there, and go on an organized detection field trip with the club.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Bacchus2 I understand what you mean ,that's so true ,you could find anything in those feilds ! Which part of Northern Ireland are you from bacchus2?
Sap ,it isn't difficult as the border here in Ireland isn't like the borders from north to South America you can cross freely on either side without the hassle ,actually I live just a 3 minute drive from N.I
And yes that burried thing is, unfortunately, very true. It's not that the landowners have done anything wrong themselves, but they would be wary that someone else had burried something their without their knowledge but they would be the ones "caught" if it was unearthed.
Its not illegal to metal detect in Ireland but you must use the detector within the law. You could look up the Metal Detector Association of Ireland or visit irishmetaldetecting.com There is also a a radio interview the clip is on youtube...
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Ron Byrne (AMDAI) Amateur Metal Detectors Association Of Ireland and Eamonn Kelly - National Museum of Ireland. DEBATE ON KERRY RADIO APRIL 2012 There is also a Ministerial letter on irishmetaldetecting.com that clearly states there is no problem Metal Detecting in Ireland if you do it within the laws of the Country.
I have no doubt if anybody dares to abuse those laws they will feel the heavy hand of the legal system. That should not scare you away from enjoying the great hobby of Metal Detecting ... just be careful you do it where allowed and within the law.
I do hope I have not broken forum rules by posting this truthful information.
Truth be told, metal detecting for ancient artifacts is appreciated more by archaeologists in the UK than in the US. In the UK many have hunted in farming fields and found artifacts that have greatly benefited the archaeological community across the pond. They have laws in effect in the UK that are quite lenient to mders if they are hunting private property. If they happen to find a cache of ancient coins, for instance, they and the owner of the property are to report it to the gov. Archaeologists then come in to finish the excavation, and once they are done the discovery is sent to the gov. agency that handles them. The gov. then decides whether or not they will purchase it for one of the countries museums.
If they buy the cache of coins, which they usually do, they pay the property owner and mder a fair amount, which is split 50/50 between the two. The find is then put in which ever museum gets it.
Unfortunately, in the US we have no laws such as these. In many cases metal detectors could help archaeologists with their excavations. In fact, not too long ago archaeologists called upon a a metal detecting club to help them pinpoint artifacts on the battlefield of Custer's last stand. They did not dig up the artifacts, but simply put flags over where they were located. Everyone won in this situation. If mders would make themselves known to the archaeological community about wanting to help them in their digs when possible it would be great. The mders wouldn't keep the finds, of course, but most mders just want to discover these artifacts, not keep them.
While the UK has reasonably sensible laws regarding this I wouldn't say everything was rosy. When I worked in a museum the archaeologists were all against private detecting.
Quote: That sounds like a sensible way to protect sensitive archaeological sites from being destroyed by people looking for artifacts to sell for a profit. If you say you're looking for the history, leave it for the historians and archaeologists to look at so they can have a more sophisticated analysis than an amateur ever could manage. Metal detecting in the UK has all sorts of problems associated with it relating to archaeological sites, and I'm all for supporting laws that restrict metal detecting if those laws have the intended effect.
Not all MetDets are looking for a profit, and certainly DO NOT destroy archaeological sites. Not all MetDets are amateur either. Of course I am bias in my opinion with being a MetDet for just over 28 years now. I have helped uncover 13 sites of interest, most of which would still be lay undiscovered if it wasn't for me tramping all over the place wrecking the whole World ....
You will never soar like an eagle if you hang around with turkeys.....
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Posted 11/19/2012 1:44 pm
