‘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’
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.
| Marker | Type of Site |
|---|---|
 | World Heritage Property |
 | Tentative List Site |
 | Memory of the World Elements |
 | Biosphere Reserve |
 | Creative City |
 | Global Geopark |
Latest News
Cultural Route membership reflects strong progress in protecting and conserving heritage outlined in latest strategic update report…
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…
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 (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…
World Heritage Day marked with important development for Ireland The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, Minister of State with Responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, TD, today announced that the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland have been added to the World Heritage Tentative List for Ireland…
Latest Publications
This report, dated December 2024, tracks the progress of implementing the action programme of the Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan 2020–30…
This report, dated December 2024, tracks the progress of implementing the action programme of the Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan 2020–30…
The archaeological review for the 2024 season provides an overview of works that necessitated archaeological oversight only and the nature of that oversight/monitoring on the World Heritage Property of Sceilg Mhichíl…
Skellig Michael was visited on a number of occasions through the summers of 2023 and 2024 with the object of surveying spiders and other invertebrates on the island. This summary report details some of the results so far obtained, offering a list of the spiders including numbers of specimens seen…
The Sceilg Mhichíl Works Report outlines the repair works completed on the World Heritage Property in 2024. Note: Appendix I refers to an internal report and so has not been uploaded…