Over 100 historic and religious stone monuments are falling apart throughout the State because of an unholy trinity of vandalism, pollution and neglect.
A survey, commissioned by the Heritage Council and conducted by conservation experts from Trinity College Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology examined 112 stone structures in 14 counties.
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The findings have revealed that one third of the monuments, which include the Martello towers in Co Dublin, Bective Abbey in Co Meath and Baltinglass Abbey, Co Wicklow have lost a significant portion of carved artistic detail.
One fifth of the structures are showing signs of intensive stone decay, while one tenth are in danger of collapse.
The Heritage Council has described the damage to the monuments as an "urgent" problem.
Chief executive of the organisation Mr Michael Starrett said the structures represent a "significant and distinctive cultural resource representing 6,000 years of activity in the Irish landscape", which must be protected.
Mr Starrett called for public support to devote time and money to the monuments' preservation and said the problem had been ignored for too long to the detriment of the country's dolmens, stone crosses, churches and castles.
"We can act immediately to remedy the current situation. This report can be the catalyst", he said.
Attempts at restoration of the structures has failed in the past as a result of using unsuitable Portland Cement Mortar.
But according to Mr Alan Savage, spokesman for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the situation has now been rectified and a mortar compatible with each stone type will be used in future.
The Heritage Council will hold a seminar on stone monument preservation on May 31st at Dublin Castle.