protection

Question??I have been surfing the net in order to find out about protection laws concerning buildings in Ireland. I ask out of interest as I lived in a very unusual house from the forties which was demolished a few years ago. A visiting relative (architect) said that in England it would have been protected and now I would like to know what I could have done to try and save the house. An earlier house by the same architect still exists and I would really appreciate it if someone could send me some info about this matter. Thanks!