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‘The wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern’

UNESCO Constitution 1945

World Heritage

The idea of World Heritage stems from the above principles of justice, liberty and peace, which inspired the need to globally conserve and protect the natural and cultural heritage that is of such Outstanding Universal Value that it must be enjoyed by present generations and transmitted to future ones.

The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the UNESCO in 1972 and ratified by Ireland in 1991. Its aim was and is to promote understanding, peace and cooperation among nations so that heritage around the world can be protected. For the first time, an international convention has recognised that heritage encompasses culture and that it is also the result of human interactions with nature.

The UNESCO World Heritage List contains some of the most important examples of natural and cultural heritage in the world.

MarkerType of Site
Red MarkerWorld Heritage Property

Tentative List Site
Purple MarkerMemory of the World Elements
Green MarkerBiosphere Reserve

Yellow MarkerCreative City

Orange MarkerGlobal Geopark

Latest News

Funding of €240k awarded to safeguard World Heritage throughout the country
Published on 18 August 2025

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, have today announced that three World Heritage Tentative List sites and one World Heritage Property will be awarded just under €240,000 in funding under the 2025 Pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund…

Ireland officially joins the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
Published on 6 August 2025

Cultural Route membership reflects strong progress in protecting and conserving heritage outlined in latest strategic update report…

Strategy for World Heritage in Ireland 2025-2035 aims to increase the number of World Heritage Properties in Ireland
Published on 10 July 2025

New World Heritage Strategy outlines ambition to increase the number of World Heritage Properties in Ireland, supporting tourism and economic growth Decision to proceed to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage also announced Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, will launch the Strategy for World Heritage in Ireland 2025-2035 in Paris today…

New €300,000 pilot funding scheme launched to safeguard World Heritage
Published on 26 June 2025

A pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund with a total value of €300,000 is now open for applications. The funding provides capital investment for World Heritage and is available through relevant local authorities for the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological and built heritage within World Heritage Properties and Tentative List Sites in Ireland…

Postponement of launch of the Sceilg Mhichíl Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report
Published on 2 May 2025

Postponement of launch of the Sceilg Mhichíl Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) Report. Apologies for any inconvenience caused, we anticipate hosting this event at another time in the coming months. The event has been postponed because of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We considered this decision and believe it is the best course of action…