Ministers Announce New Addition to Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List: Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland

Posted on 18 avril 2025

Robinson Dome, Armagh

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. This important step for Ireland’s Heritage is made on World Heritage Day, the international Day for Monuments and Sites (Friday 18 April 2025).

This is proposed as a cross-border partnership comprising Armagh Planetarium and Observatory, Armagh; Birr Castle and Demesne, Offaly; and Dunsink Observatory House, Dublin. The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland becomes the fourth entry on Ireland’s Tentative List. The other three are: The Neolithic Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; The Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Kerry and Canada) the Royal Sites of Ireland, covering several sites on the island.  

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Tentative List is an inventory of important natural and cultural heritage sites that demonstrate potential ‘Outstanding Universal Value’.

Speaking about the addition to the Tentative List, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: “Increasing the number of UNESCO World Heritage Properties is a heritage commitment in our Programme for Government. This addition of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland to the Tentative List is the first formal step on an exciting journey towards World Heritage inscription for three remarkable observatories.

“These places of trailblazing scientific endeavour epitomise historical collaboration across the island.  They showcase our remarkable heritage on the global stage, and the journey of this project in the years will strengthen North-South cooperation greatly with shared benefits for these places and their communities.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan explained:

“I am delighted to mark World Heritage Day, the international Day for Monuments and Sites with this significant development. Ireland’s Tentative List is continually evolving to enable further sites to be identified.  World Heritage inscription carries great global significance and can bring positive benefits for heritage and tourism promotion, community engagement and stewardship.

“Thanks to the National Monuments Service and its World Heritage expert panel in supporting the Observatories and the Local Authorities to reach this stage.  We look forward to working with all stakeholders in the years ahead.” 

Speaking about the new Tentative List, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works said:

“This is an important achievement for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. It is a very positive showcase of cross border co-operation between the relevant authorities on the island of Ireland. The OPW looks forward to supporting the bid in the future as it progresses for submission to UNESCO for inscription as a World Heritage Property.”

The National Monuments Service and OPW will now focus on supporting the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland to develop their nomination bid for submission to the World Heritage Centre in Paris in partnership with Northern Ireland and relevant UK World Heritage authorities. Once submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland will be formally added to Ireland’s Tentative List.

All Tentative Lists submitted to the World Heritage Committee by States Parties are available on to review on the UNESCO website.

Ireland’s Tentative List

  1. The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo
  2. Transatlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County Kerry-Heart’s Content, Newfoundland and Labrador (a serial transnational nomination with Canada)
  3. Royal Sites of Ireland: Dún Ailinne, County Kildare; Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath; Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary; Rathcroghan County Roscommon; and Tara County Meath (a potential serial transnational nomination to include Emain Macha/Navan Fort, County Armagh)
  4. The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland: Birr Castle and Demesne, Offaly and Dunsink Observatory, Dublin (a potential serial transnational nomination to include Armagh Planetarium and Observatory, County Armagh)

The first three sites were added to Ireland’s Tentative List in 2022. UNESCO recommends reviews of Tentative Lists at least every ten years. Sites can be added, removed, or updated at any time. Ireland’s approach in relation to proposed “transnational” or “transboundary” sites is that they may be added to the Tentative List outside of revision periods because of the additional complexities and cooperation involved. Inclusion on the Tentative List does not guarantee inclusion in the World Heritage List. Exclusion from the list in no way devalues the heritage significance of a site, rather it means that the site does not meet specific World Heritage standards.