Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the recent designation of a number of significant new historic monuments and buildings throughout Northern Ireland.

The sites, which have been added to the schedule of historic monuments and as listed buildings this week, represent a broad spectrum of the region's past.

The new designations include:

• St Patrick's Chair and Well in County Tyrone.

• The remains of World War 2 wharfs at Lisahally, County Londonderry, which hold immense historical importance as the location where German U-Boats famously surrendered to the Allied Forces.

• A distinctive battle garden at Kilwarlin Moravian Church in County Down.

• A series of granite milestones along the old Enniskillen to Dublin coach road in County Fermanagh, which have been protected as listed buildings.

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Minister Lyons highlighted the importance of these protections, stating: "Scheduled historic monuments and listed buildings are among the most important parts of our built heritage, and the structures we have protected this week represent a microcosm of our rich heritage."

He continued: "I am pleased that my Department has taken steps to identify and protect these unique aspects of Northern Ireland's rich and varied historic environment. These special places, alongside many others already designated, provide an important narrative in our landscape of the very the valuable and diverse history of the places in which we all live."

The statutory designation of these sites provides formal recognition of their historical significance and puts in place a regulatory framework for any activity that might modify or alter them. For Scheduled Monuments, this is implemented by the Department for Communities, while for Listed Buildings, it is managed by the local planning authority. This regulation ensures their historic importance is properly considered as they are managed and whenever future changes are proposed.

To find out more about your local heritage, please visit www.communities-ni.gov.uk/services/historic-environment-map-viewer