The Discovery Programme
The Discovery Programme is Ireland's national archaeological research body, supported by the Heritage Council, which uses 3D documentation, LiDAR analysis, and machine learning (ADAF) to investigate, digitally preserve, and provide open access to Irish cultural heritage across the island.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Discovery Programme does
The Discovery Programme is Ireland's national archaeological research body, established in the 1990s and headquartered at Merchants House, 27-30 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. The organisation is registered as both a company (Reg. 243328) and a charity (CHY 12549), with primary support drawn from the Heritage Council. It investigates sites and monuments across the island of Ireland, applying a multi-disciplinary methodology that combines archaeology with 3D digital documentation — including photogrammetric survey, terrestrial laser scanning, close-range active scanning, aerial survey, and remote sensing. Its research outputs feed publicly accessible digital archives (3D-Icons, Sketchfab, the Digital Repository of Ireland) and it also delivers commissioned technical services to heritage consultancies.
Its core technology stack comprises the ADAF (Automated Detection of Archaeological Features) machine learning tool, which performs computer-vision and anomaly detection on airborne laser scanning (ALS) digital elevation models to identify Irish archaeological feature classes (barrows, enclosures, ringforts); the 3D-4CH Online Competence Centre for 3D cultural heritage documentation; and a permanent digital archive infrastructure for long-term preservation. ADAF is open-source (published to GitHub) and was developed primarily for Transport Infrastructure Ireland to enable early screening of archaeological features in infrastructure projects.
The revenue model is non-commercial and charitable. The Discovery Programme operates as a registered charity funded predominantly by Heritage Council grants, supplemented by project-specific funding from partners such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Digital Repository of Ireland, and international academic collaborators including the Römisch-Germanische Kommission. Knowledge products and digital datasets are distributed as open access rather than sold. The customer base is a blend of government and state bodies (infrastructure planning, environmental assessment), the academic and archaeological research community, the heritage sector and museums, and the general public — with engagement channels spanning an email Ezine, social media (Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), publications, podcasts, and community events.
The Discovery Programme firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Discovery Programme
- Legal name
- The Discovery Programme
- Website
- https://discoveryprogramme.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Discovery Programme is Ireland's national archaeological research body, supported by the Heritage Council, which uses 3D documentation, LiDAR analysis, and machine learning (ADAF) to investigate, digitally preserve, and provide open access to Irish cultural heritage across the island.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Discovery Programme industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Archaeological Research and Digital Heritage Documentation
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)
Keywords
Where The Discovery Programme is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Discovery Programme business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: The Discovery Programme is a national archaeological research body supported by the Heritage Council, operating as a registered charity. Primary funding comes from government/charitable sources
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Discovery Programme product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Discovery Programme is a national archaeological research body that investigates sites and monuments across the island of Ireland using advanced digital technologies. It provides archaeological research, 3D digital documentation services (photogrammetric survey, terrestrial laser scanning, close-range active scanning), and open-source machine learning tools such as ADAF for automated detection of archaeological features from LiDAR data. Its research outputs, digital archives, and 3D heritage models are made openly accessible through online platforms including Sketchfab and the Digital Repository of Ireland.
Product overview
The Discovery Programme operates as a national archaeological research body that offers a portfolio of digital heritage products and research services. The core technology offerings include ADAF (machine learning-based archaeological feature detection from lidar data) and the 3D-4CH Online Competence Centre for 3D heritage documentation. These are supported by digital documentation services including photogrammetric survey, terrestrial laser scanning, and close-range active techniques. The programme provides access to digital resources including 3D models via Sketchfab and the 3D-Icons collection of over 130 Irish monuments. Research initiatives like the Frameworks for Archaeological Research (FAR) and the CHERISH climate heritage project coordinate sector-wide archaeological research. The portfolio functions as an integrated ecosystem where research projects inform product development, digital documentation services generate 3D content for public access platforms, and open-source tools like ADAF democratize archaeological analysis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ADAF - Automatic Detection of Archaeological Features Open-source software tool that enables fast and cost-effective archaeological investigation of airborne laser scanning DEMs using machine learning techniques. Provides Jupyter notebooks for data preparation, training, and automatic recognition of archaeological features (barrows, enclosures, ringforts), aimed at the archaeological research community and infrastructure planners.
- 3D-4CH Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage Sectoral project focused on preservation, digitisation and accessibility of cultural heritage through advanced 3D technologies. Provides expertise and resources for 3D documentation of archaeological monuments and heritage sites for the cultural heritage sector.
- Photogrammetric Survey Service Digital documentation service using photogrammetric techniques to create 3D models of archaeological sites and monuments for heritage professionals, researchers, and partner organisations.
- Terrestrial Laser Scanning Service Digital documentation service using terrestrial laser scanning technology to create detailed 3D representations of heritage sites and monuments for archaeological and heritage partners.
- Close Range Active Techniques Service Digital documentation service using close-range active scanning techniques for detailed recording of archaeological features and artifacts for research and heritage preservation partners.
- Frameworks for Archaeological Research (FAR) Strategic island-wide archaeological research frameworks initiative coordinating and guiding archaeological research across Ireland, delivered in collaboration with the heritage sector.
- 3D-Icons Digital Collection Digital collection comprising over 130 monuments and buildings from Ireland, including decorated high crosses, Skellig Michael, the passage tombs of Knowth and Newgrange, and the ceremonial landscape of Tara, made available publicly through Sketchfab.
- Sketchfab Discovery Programme Channel Online collection of 3D models of Irish archaeological monuments and heritage sites available for public viewing and download on the Sketchfab platform.
- CHERISH Project Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands, and Headlands research initiative examining the impacts of climate change on Ireland's coastal and island archaeological heritage, producing TLS and UAV datasets archived with the Digital Repository of Ireland.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 130 monuments and buildings documented in 3D through 3D-Icons project
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Discovery Programme
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Discovery Programme technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
The Discovery Programme partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Digital Repository of IrelandcoreNational trusted digital repository for Ireland's social and cultural data. Discovery Programme became a member in 2016 to ingest digital material for long-term preservation and participate in shaping DRI's future direction.
- The Heritage CouncilcorePrimary support and funding body for The Discovery Programme. The Heritage Council is the statutory body that supports the national archaeological research body. This is the core funding relationship that enables all research activities.
- Transport Infrastructure IrelandcoreDevelopment of ADAF tool was driven by TII's need for early identification of unknown archaeological features in infrastructure projects. TII provided the primary use case and requirements for the machine learning archaeological detection software.
- Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesmajorCollaboration partner in the Corca Dhuibhne 3D project for digital documentation of heritage sites in County Kerry.
- Músaem Corca DhuibhnemajorLocal museum partner in the Corca Dhuibhne 3D project for community engagement and heritage documentation.
- Ogham in 3DmajorTechnology partner in the Corca Dhuibhne 3D project providing 3D documentation expertise.
- Department of Archaeology, N.U.I. GalwaymajorAcademic collaboration partner in the Tara research project for archaeological investigation of Tara landscape.
- Römisch-Germanische KommissionmajorInternational academic partner in the Tara research project, providing German archaeological expertise.
- Abarta HeritageminorCommissioned The Discovery Programme to laser scan fragments of decorated stone uncovered during excavations of the Hellfire Club passage tomb.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Discovery Programme competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Historic England: The public body that looks after England's historic environment, operating a national research function with strong overlap in heritage science, remote sensing, and digital recording of monuments.
- Historic Environment Scotland: Scotland's national heritage body with a research, advisory and statutory mandate analogous to The Discovery Programme's role in Ireland, including digital documentation and survey work on built and archaeological heritage.
- CyArk: US-based non-profit focused on digitally preserving cultural heritage sites using 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry and LiDAR — directly comparable to the 3D-Icons and 3D-4CH activities of the Discovery Programme.
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales: Investigative and recording body for the historic environment of Wales with a near-identical mandate to document and archive monuments, including extensive use of aerial photography and 3D recording.
- Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE): Dutch national heritage research body that combines archaeology, monument care and heritage science, including 3D documentation and applied research programs — closely matching the Discovery Programme's integrated research-and-innovation model.
- Archaeology Data Service (ADS): UK digital repository for archaeological research data, partnering with the Discovery Programme via the Digital Repository of Ireland. Comparable in its mission to archive and provide long-term access to digital heritage datasets.
Broad incumbents
- English Heritage: UK charity and public body managing historic sites, monuments and heritage research with a much wider portfolio than the Discovery Programme but overlapping in survey, recording and public engagement.
- Getty Conservation Institute: Larger, internationally focused research organisation working on cultural heritage conservation, including 3D documentation and heritage science — overlaps with the Discovery Programme's portfolio but at significantly greater scale and with global scope.
Regional players
- National Museum of Ireland: Ireland's principal national cultural institution operating across archaeology, decorative arts, natural history and country life. Directly comparable as an Irish state-supported heritage body but focused on collections and exhibitions rather than field research.
Others
- Ordnance Survey Ireland: Irish national mapping agency producing authoritative geospatial data; adjacent rather than competitive, but comparable in the sense that the Discovery Programme's geophysical and LiDAR-based survey outputs serve a similar national geospatial documentation function.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Discovery Programme social profiles
Digital presenceThe Discovery Programme financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Discovery Programme leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Discovery Programme funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Discovery Programme M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Discovery Programme
What does The Discovery Programme do?
The Discovery Programme is a national archaeological research body that investigates sites and monuments across the island of Ireland using advanced digital technologies. It provides archaeological research, 3D digital documentation services (photogrammetric survey, terrestrial laser scanning, close-range active scanning), and open-source machine learning tools such as ADAF for automated detection of archaeological features from LiDAR data. Its research outputs, digital archives, and 3D heritage models are made openly accessible through online platforms including Sketchfab and the Digital Repository of Ireland.
Is The Discovery Programme a public or private company?
The Discovery Programme is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Discovery Programme founded?
The Discovery Programme was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Discovery Programme based?
The Discovery Programme is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does The Discovery Programme make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are The Discovery Programme's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, CyArk, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and Archaeology Data Service (ADS). Broad incumbents are English Heritage and Getty Conservation Institute. National Museum of Ireland is listed as a regional player. Ordnance Survey Ireland is listed as an others.
Does The Discovery Programme have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Discovery Programme.
What industry is The Discovery Programme in?
The Discovery Programme's product category is Archaeological Research and Digital Heritage Documentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAKAA, Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling). Its NAICS code is 54136 and its SIC code is 8731.