‘An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, is founded entirely for the benefit of the people: our hope is that people will in turn do their part’
(Robert Lloyd Praegar, 1948)
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland was established in 1948 by Robert Lloyd Praegar, an Irish naturalist and historian. Praegar believed the protection of our heritage to be a responsibility shared by all the inhabitants of Ireland, but understood that an independent non-governmental body was required to join the people of Ireland in conserving and protecting Ireland’s heritage.
Today, An Taisce continues to work as an independent, free from bias voice.
In addition An Taisce promotes Sustainable Living through the Green Schools, Green Homes, and Green Communities programmes run by An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit. The Environmental Education Unit also works with IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter), manages the Clean Coasts and Blue Flag progammes, and runs The National Spring Clean.
An Taisce is a membership organisation and relies on you to become a member. As a member you automatically help strengthen An Taisce’s position on positive change across many areas of national importance, and it is your voice we represent. As a charity An Taisce relies on its members to help us fund our work...
From our churches, our roads and our monuments, to our old bridges and manor homes; from our parklands to our deer, our waterways, and our flora & fauna, An Taisce works to protect Ireland and help her retain her identity as a country of natural and symbolic beauty, treasured not just by us but by millions of people around the world.
Robert Lloyd Praegar had a vision in 1948 – to protect and preserve our heritage. An Taisce is Praegar’s legacy and us the people of Ireland, the benefactors.
‘Floreat Hibernia’
Natural heritage is the legacy of natural objects and intangible attributes encompassing the countryside and natural environment, including flora and fauna, scientifically known asbiodiversity, and geology and landforms.
Built heritage is the unique and irreplaceable architecture with historic background that merits preservation for future generations.