Legislative Basis

1. All archaeological objects found in the State without a known owner are property of the State and the NMI is the repository for all such objects.
2. Archaeological objects must be reported to the NMI within 72 hours of discovery.
3. Designated Museums may (on behalf of the State) acquire archaeological objects that are primarily of local importance, with the approval of the Board of NMI (delegated to the Director).
4. The Director NMI has the option to waive the claim of the State in relation to such objects.
5. The NMI is the State’s repository for all archaeological objects from excavations and other sources.
6. The definition of ‘archaeological object’ is very broad. It governs not only artefacts but also archaeologically significant ecofacts (remains of plants or animals), and human remains, and is not limited by the date or age of an object.

• National Monuments Amendment Acts 1930 to 2014
• Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provision Act 2023
• UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals https://www.unesco.org/en/sdgs

• Acquisitions Policy
• Collection Care and Conservation Policy
• Collections Documentation and Information Policy
• Disposal Policy
• Divisional Acquisitions Policies
• Divisional Contemporary Collecting Policies
• Exhibitions Policy
• Loans Policy
• Location Movement and Control Policy
• Object Exit and Dispatch Policy
• Provenance Research Policy
• Risk Management Policy
• Storage Management Policy.

Core Collections

1. Museum Heritage Objects (including ‘Archaeological Objects’) that have been acquired by the NMI are registered in systems dating back to the implementation of the Science & Art Museum Act on 14 August 1877. All objects acquired by NMI since that date and registered in these systems are considered ‘Accessioned Objects’ that are part of the NMI ‘Core Collection’.
2. Included in the NMI Core Collection are major collections of objects transferred from the Museum of Irish Industry (MII), Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (RSAI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). These transfers and deposits in the 19^th century into what is now the National Museum of Ireland are considered part of the NMI Core Collection. The objects in these collections are in many cases not well documented and were not itemised or catalogued at the point of transfer of custodianship to NMI. The nature of transfer may be variable and, in some cases, also poorly documented.
3. The Curatorial Divisions of the NMI shall prepare Acquisition Strategies for approval by the Director of NMI. These acquisition strategies shall take consideration of the NMI Statement of Strategy and be subject to periodic review.

Selection of Objects for Acquisition

1. NMI will acquire objects and their accompanying data that support and expand upon the existing collections, as outlined for each Curatorial Division (covering the disciplines of archaeology, decorative and applied arts, history, Irish folklife, contemporary life, and natural history).
2. NMI will take resources into consideration when making decisions on acquisitions, to ensure that an appropriate standard of care can be delivered. This will include storage space, conservation, and staff time required for managing the receipt, documentation and subsequent care of an object or collection of objects.
3. NMI will consider all fiscal implications when considering acquisitions. This pertains to purchase or acquisition or donation of the object(s), conservation, movement of the object(s), and storage of the object(s).
4. NMI will consider the environment and sustainability when making decisions on acquisitions.
5. NMI will take due consideration of the acquisition policies and strategies of other state bodies responsible for the acquisition of portable heritage objects, to avoid duplication of effort.

Acquisitions processing & professional guidelines

1. The NMI will follow its Collections Acquisition Guidelines when processing acquisitions. These cover the processes to be followed in making decisions to acquire specific objects, or collections of objects. These include the levels of delegation in terms of decision making, from routine acquisitions processed by curators to major acquisitions with significant implications for NMI that are approved at the level of Director.
2. The NMI will follow appropriate professional guidelines (SPECTRUM 5.0, published September 2017) when accessioning objects, with a focus on capturing all relevant information at the point of acquisition.
   1. Due diligence will be undertaken by members of the curatorial team as part of the acquisition process. This will include provenance research appropriate scrutiny of any factor that may be raised as a challenge to the rightful transfer of ownership of any object or collection of objects (including, but not restricted to; proof of ownership, permits, legislation, ethics, copyright, usage agreements, health and safety, and legal title as appropriate to the nature of the object).
   2. Upon entry to an NMI building an entry number will be allocated to all objects or groups of objects.
   3. Upon entry the object or objects will be added to the collections management database by registration staff to ensure an audit trail exists.
   4. Upon entry the object or objects will be added to the collections management database in Irish Antiquities by curatorial staff.
   5. Each object or group of objects will be registered by the curator acquiring the object(s) into the appropriate collection using a unique NMI register number, which should be securely associated with the objects.
   6. A museum record will be prepared by the acquiring curator for all new acquisitions and associated with the register number no later than three months after acquisition.
   7. The systems used to manage records will be tamper-proof, with an appropriate audit trail and secure backup.

Right to Reject