Unit Information

‘Units’ in this database are national-level organisations which perform public functions under public authority. These include government departments, agencies, and commercial state-owned enterprises. For further details on the types of organisations included in the database, see the what we have done and why document.

Units can be searched by name, legal form, function, policy area, or date. On each unit’s page, information is available including dates of activity, alternate names, relevant legislation, related units, related events. and also data on characteristics such as legal form, policy area, function, accountability mechanisms, location, and parent bodies. For further details on the data recorded about each unit, see the Codebook

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73 results

Name
From
To
Description
Source
Office of Public Works1831-08-01Also known as Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland; includes the Government Supplies Agency McGauran et al. 2005; www.opw.ie; Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924
Royal Irish Academy of Music1848-01-01Founded in 1848, The Royal Irish Academy of Music is Ireland’s oldest conservatoireMcGauran et al. 2005; www.riam.ie, the Educational Endowments (Ireland) Act 1885
National Gallery of Ireland1854-08-10McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.nationalgallery.ie/; National Gallery of Ireland Acts 1854 to 1963
National Museum of Ireland1997-01-01Consists of four separate museum buildings: the NMI - Archaeology and History (1890), the NMI - Decorative Arts and History (1997), the NMI - Natural History (1857), the NMI Country Life (2001). McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.museum.ie/ National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997
National Theatre Society Ltd.1925-01-012006-01-31Abbey Theatre established in 1903, nationalised in 1925 as the National Theatre Society Limited. On 31 January 2006 this company was dissolved and all assets and liabilities were transferred to a newly established company, Abbey Theatre Amharclann Na Mainistreach, which now runs the theatre. McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/
Irish Film Censor's Office (IFCO)1923-07-162008-07-20Replaced by Irish Film Classification Office in 2008McGauran et al. 2005; www.ifco.ie; Censorship of Films Act, 1923; the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008
Arts Council1951-05-08McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.artscouncil.ie/; The Arts Acts 1951; 1973 and 2003
Chester Beatty Library1969-01-01McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.cbl.ie/; Chester Beatty Library Acts 1968 and 1986
Crafts Council of Ireland1976-09-21Previously a volunteer body (formed 1971), nationalised in 1976 as a limited company under the Dept of Industry and Commerce. Since 19 January 2014 is primarily referred to as the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.dccoi.ie/
Screen Ireland1981-08-14Known as the Irish Film Board until renamed Screen Ireland in June 2018. Hiatus between 1987 and 1993 (see Dáil Éireann - Volume 373 - 25 June, 1987-- Estimates, 1987. - Vote 3: Department of the Taoiseach (Revised Estimate) and 'Higgins move to reactivate film board welcomed' P Woodworth, Irish Times, 31/03/1993). McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/; Irish Film Board Act 1980; S.I. No. 282/1981; Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 1993; Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 1997; Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 2000; National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015; S.I. No. 182/2018
National Concert Hall Ltd.1981-09-09Functions of RTÉ relating to orchestras and choirs were transferred to the NCH on 28 February 2023McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.nch.ie/; National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) (Amendment) Act 2023 (No. 1 of 2023); S.I. No. 130/2023
President's Award1985-03-28Gaisce or ‘great achievement’ is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25 and has been in existence since 1985.McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.gaisce.ie/; Finance Act, 1985 (Section 16)
Irish Museum of Modern Art1991-05-25McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.modernart.ie/; National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997
Discovery Programme Ltd.1991-05-11Was initially set up through a personal initiative of the then Taoiseach Charles Haughey; it is a company limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital and is now funded by the Heritage Council http://www.discoveryprogramme.ie/; Dáil Éireann - Volume 437 - 15 December, 1993--Written Answers. - Discovery Programme
Temple Bar Cultural Trust1990-10-242014-01-01Dissolved, in April 2013 the Board of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust requested that Dublin City Council (the Shareholder) begin the process of winding down the Trust and for the council to take over the responsibilities, functions and assets of the Trust. http://www.templebar.ie/; www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/temple-bar-cultural-trust-and-temple-bar-cultural-information-centre/31040; www.irishtimes.com/culture/council-assumes-full-control-of-temple-bar-cultural-trust-1.1712075
Irish Horse Board1993-10-302008-01-01Absorbed into Horse Sport Ireland as the Breeding Sub-Board of Horse Sport Ireland.http://www.irishsporthorse.com/; Dáil Éireann - Volume 613 - 25 January, 2006--Written Answers. - Irish Horse Board; 'Equestrian: Kennedy slams IHB plans for merger' Parkes, L., Irish Independent, 4 June 2008; 'Walsh launches new Horse Board' Irish Independent, 1 November 1993.
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism2002-06-192010-05-02S.I. 309/2002; S.I. No. 178/2010
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government2003-06-102011-05-02http://www.environ.ie/; S.I. No. 233/2003; S.I. No. 193/2011
Heritage Council1995-07-10McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/; Heritage Act 1995
Department of Tourism, Fisheries, and Forestry1986-02-191987-03-18Tourism policy area added from Industry, Trade, Commerce, and Tourism in 1986 (S.I. No. 42/1986). It was moved again in 1987 to the Department of Tourism and Transport (S.I. No. 95/1987)Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 40/1986; S.I. No. 42/1986; S.I. No. 82/1987; S.I. No. 95/1987
Department of Tourism and Transport (II)1987-03-201991-02-06S.I. 83/1987; S.I. 25/1991; http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1
Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications1991-02-071993-01-22http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1; S.I. No. 25/1991; S.I. No. 17/1993
Department of Tourism and Trade1993-01-201997-07-11S.I. No. 16/1993; S.I. No. 304/1997; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1
Department of Tourism and Transport (I)1977-09-241980-01-24Tourism policy responsibility transferred to Industry, Commerce and Tourism in 1980Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 305/1977; S.I. No. 11/1980
Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation1997-07-122002-06-18Formerly Department of Tourism and Trade; Arts Policy added to form Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2002S.I. 304/1997; S.I. 309/2002; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1
Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism1981-08-211983-12-16Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 290/1981; S.I. No. 384/1983
Department of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism1980-01-231981-08-20Responsibility for tourism transferred from Department of Tourism and Transport (S.I. No. 8/1980)Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 10/1980; S.I. No. 290 of 1981
Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht1993-01-201997-07-12S.I. 22/1993; S.I. No. 306/1997; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1
Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands1997-07-122002-06-19IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1; S.I. No. 306/1997; S.I. No. 308/2002
An Foras Teanga1999-12-02Also known as North/South Language Body. Is comprised of two agencies: Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge, each of which has its own board, whose members together constitute the board of the An Foras TeangaMcGauran et al. 2005; http://www.anforasteanga.ie/; the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999; the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999
Foras na Gaeilge1999-12-02McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.gaeilge.ie/; the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999; the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999
Tha Boord O Ulstér-Scotch1999-12-02McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/; the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999; the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999
Tourism Ireland Ltd.2000-12-11McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.tourismireland.com/; Belfast Agreement of Good Friday 1998; CRO
An Coimisinéir Teanga2004-02-23Official Languages Act 2003; http://www.coimisineir.ie/
Fáilte Ireland2003-05-28McGauran et al. 2005; National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003; http://www.failteireland.ie/
Culture Ireland2005-02-012013-01-31Note: Plans announced in Feb 2007 to make Culture Ireland a statutory body never materialised. On 31 Jan. 2013, a Delegation Order delegated the functions of directing Culture Ireland to a Principal Officer within the Dept. of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.http://www.cultureireland.ie/; Dept. of Public Expenditure and Reform 'Summary of agency rationalisation measures as at January 2014', Table B http://per.gov.ie/summary-of-agency-rationalisation-measures-as-at-january-2014/; Written answers, Thursday, 7 March 2013 - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Departmental Appointments
Gaeltarra Éireann1958-04-011980-01-01Took over administration of Rural Industries previously administered by the Gaeltacht Services Division. Replaced by Údarás na Gaeltachta-1980 Gaeltacht Industries Acts, 1957 to 1977; Údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979
Bord na Gaeilge1978-11-011999-12-02Merged into Foras na Gaeilge in 1999.Bord na Gaeilge Act, 1978; the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999; the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999
Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism1983-12-171986-02-19Responsibility for industry transferred from Dept of Industry and Energy in 1983 Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 384/1983; S.I. No. 41/1986
Department of the Gaeltacht1956-07-021993-01-19MINISTERS AND SECRETARIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1956; S.I. 22/1993; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2002-06-192010-06-02S.I. No. 308/2002; S.I. No. 215/2010
Department of the Taoiseach 1937-07-01http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/; Constitution (Consequential Provisions) Act, 1937
National Heritage Council1988-09-051995-07-10Predecessor of Heritage Councilhttp://www.heritagecouncil.ie/
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge1952-09-052008-01-01Absorbed into Foras na Gaeilge; functions are now carried out under the name of Clár na Leabhar Gaeilgehttp://www.gaeilge.ie/Foras_na_Gaeilge/Clar_na_Leabhar_Gaeilge.asp; 'Book Body Meets' the Irish Press, 5 Sept. 1952; http://www.educationmatters.ie/2007/10/31/irish-language-books-board-disbanded/
Irish Folklore Commission1935-04-011971-04-01Archives now held at UCDS.I. No. 16/1957; S.I. No. 193/1957; http://www.ucd.ie/ucdnews/may95/folklore.html; O'Sullivan, S. (1974) 'The Work of the Irish Folklore Commission', University College Dublin.
Bord Fáilte Éireann1955-07-012003-05-28Replaced An Bord Fáilte and Fógra Fáilte, added publishing/publicity functions. Replaced by National Tourism Development Authority (Fáilte Ireland)Tourist Traffic Act 1955; National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003
Telefís na Gaelige2007-04-01Was established as a wholly owned subsidiary by RTE in 1996. It was established as independent public corporation in 2007 (Broadcasting Act 2001)http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/; Broadcasting Act 2001
National Film Studios of Ireland1975-06-011982-04-01Ardmore Film Studios were purchased by the Government in 1973, run by RTE until 1975 when name changed to NFSI; statutory basis in 1980; closed and went into receivership & company liquidated April 1982National Film Studios of Ireland Limited Act, 1980; Dáil Éireann - Volume 334 - 18 May, 1982--Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardmore Studios Closure; Dáil Éireann - Volume 340 - 02 March, 1983--Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Film Studios
National Monuments Advisory Council1930-08-021990-01-01Lapsed while legislation to establish replacement body (Historic Monuments Council) pending enactment (see Dáil Éireann - Volume 418 - 08 April, 1992--Written Answers. - National Monuments Advisory Council), ultimately replaced by Heritage Council under Heritage Act, 1995National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1987; Heritage Act 1995; Dáil Éireann - Volume 168 - 12 June, 1958--Written Answers. - State-sponsored Companies, Commissions, Committees and Advisory Councils
An Coiste Téarmaíochta1968-01-011999-12-02Committees of Irish-language experts were set up as early as 1927 in order to provide terminology for the education system. An Buanchoiste Téarmaíochta (The Permanent Terminology Committee) was established by the Minister of Education in 1968. Merged into Foras na Gaeilge 1999the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999; the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999; http://gaeilge.ie/Foras_na_Gaeilge/The_Terminology_Committee.asp
Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann1972-10-272004-01-09Dáil Éireann - Volume 577 - 16 December, 2003--Written Answers. - Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann; http://web.archive.org/web/20030607005819/http://ite.ie/index.htm
Archbishop Marsh's Library1707-01-01http://www.marshlibrary.ie/; An Act for settling and preserving a publick library for ever…, 1707; S.I. No. 8/1970; National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997
Comhairle na Gaeilge1969-06-131978-11-01predecessor of Bord na GaeilgeSeanad Éireann - Volume 89 - 07 June, 1978--An Bille um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978: An Dara Céim. Bord na Gaeilge Bill, 1978: Second Stage; 'Taking another look at Irish: Haughey's new council' Irish Times, 14 June 1969
An Bord Fáilte 1952-07-031955-07-01Replaced Irish Tourist Board; Replaced by Bord Fáilte ÉireannTourist Traffic Act 1952; Tourist Traffic Act 1955
Irish Tourist Board1939-08-011952-07-03Replaced by An Bord FailteTourist Traffic Act, 1939; Tourist Traffic Act, 1952
Kilkenny Design Workshops Ltd1963-04-191988-11-01Transferred to Kilkenny Civic Trust in Nov 1988Kilkenny Design Workshops Limited Act, 1982; Seanad Éireann - Volume 119 - 26 May, 1988--Adjournment Matter. - Kilkenny Design Workshops
Abbey Theatre Amharclann na Mainistreach2006-01-31Replaced the National Theatre Society Ltd. as the company with responsibility for the Abbey Theatrewww.abbeytheatre.ie/; Dáil Éireann - Volume 647 - 13 February, 2008--Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies
National Museum of Science and Art1877-08-141997-01-01Became the National Museum of Irelandhttp://www.museum.ie/ Dublin Science and Art Museum Act 1877; National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997
Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO)2008-07-20Replaced Irish Film Censor's Officewww.ifco.ie; Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008
Censorship of Films Appeals Board1923-07-162008-07-20Censorship of Films Act, 1923; Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008
Classification of Films Appeal Board2008-07-20Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008; www.ifco.ie
Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport2010-05-022011-06-02Replaced Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism; Replaced by Department of Arts, Heritage and the GaeltachtS.I. No. 178/2010; S.I. No. 220/2011
Council of National Cultural Institutions2001-12-21Heritage Fund Act 2001; http://www.cnci.ie/
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht2011-06-022016-07-07Creation: S.I. No. 220/2011; Termination: S.I. No. 357/2016; http://www.ahg.gov.ie/
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport2011-04-022020-09-17Succeeded by Department of Transport (III). Tourism and Sport responsibilities also transferred to new Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaS.I. No. 141/2011; http://www.transport.ie/; S.I. No. 351/2020; S.I. No. 356/2020
Crawford Art Gallery2006-12-06In 2006, a new company, Crawford Art Gallery Cork Ltd., was established by the Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism to manage the Gallery, and the Gallery was designated a National Cultural Institution. http://www.crawfordartgallery.ie/; http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/AboutUs/AgenciesBodiesunderDepartmentsAegis/; Companies Registration Office
Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs2016-07-072017-08-01Creation of new Department by Enda Kenny following election 2016 and minority government. Formerly Department of Arts, Heritage and the GaeltachtCreation: S.I. No. 357/2016; Termination: S.I. No. 350/2017; Dail Debates 6 May 2016 www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2016-05-06/8/ ; www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Culture,_Heritage_and_the_Gaeltacht Note: Name announced by Taoiseach was Rural Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht but SI was Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht2017-08-012020-09-30New Department following election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach; succeeds Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Rural affairs function formally moves to new Department of Community and Rural Affairs in 2018. Subsequently replaced by Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Heritage responsibilities also transferred to new Department of Housing, Local Government and HeritageS.I. No. 350/2017 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2017, http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/350; Also http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/165/made/en/print; S.I. No. 403/2020; S.I. No. 339/2020
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media2020-09-30Replaced Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht S.I. No. 403/2020
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage2020-09-30Replaced Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; https://www.housing.gov.ie/ S.I. No. 408/2020
Museum of Irish Industry1854-01-011866-01-01A museum dedicated to the exhibition of the various, display-worthy materials from, and donated by, the industries of mining and manufacturing established in Ireland. In addition, the museum gave lectures on the subject, and related subject matters, to thhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120306001947/http://www.ucd.ie/archives/html/university/mii.htm; https://web.archive.org/web/20050331014146/http://www.bopcris.ac.uk/eppi/ref12709.html
Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland1900-01-011931-04-01The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland was established as a separate department for Ireland prior to 1922, the functions of which continued for a period following independence. This body had a broad mandate with respect to the development of agriculture and industry, encompassing educational, regulatory, funding and statistical functions. Certain functions of this body were transferred to the Department of Lands in 1924 and Education and Fisheries in 1927. This body was dissolved in 1931 and its remaining functions transferred to the Departments of Agriculture and Industry and CommerceAgriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act 1899 (62 & 63 Vict.), Ch. 50; Agriculture Act 1931 (No. 8 of 1931)
Office of Arms 1552-02-021943-04-01The Office of Arms was Ireland's oldest Office of State, formally established in the 16th century to perform heraldic and genealogical functions. The Office was peculiar in that it retained a direct link to the British Crown through its officeholder until 1943, when it was transferred to the Irish public administrationS. Hood, 'Royal Roots, Republican Inheritance: The Survival of the Office of Arms' (2002, Woodfield Press) ('Hood')