Dúchas

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Dúchas - The Heritage Service (Irish, "Heritage") is the former Irish State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties. It was established under the Heritage Act 1995 and took over responsibility for the management of national parks and wildlife from the Office of Public Works. It was an Executive Agency of the Department of Arts, Sports, and Tourism.

In 2003, it was controversially abolished. Its status as an executive agency gave it no separate legal existence and it could be easily abolished without primary legislation. Most of its functions were transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, where they became the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Some others reverted to being OPW functions.