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

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. Ireland’s first national strategy for UNESCO World Heritage sets out the Government’s ambitions to increase the number of World Heritage Properties in Ireland and to sustainably manage World Heritage sites. Minister Browne will make the announcement as the World Heritage Committee meets today at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

An increase in World Heritage sites is expected not alone to generate increased global recognition for Ireland’s unique heritage but to provide a transformational social and economic dividend for the regions.

Minister Browne said:

“We are so fortunate in Ireland to be known globally for our rich natural and cultural heritage and our iconic sites such as Sceilg Mhichíl and Brú na Bóinne have achieved worldwide recognition as World Heritage Sites. This Strategy foremost shows that we have ambition to expand the number of World Heritage sites in Ireland and to match that expansion with resources to protect and manage these nationally and globally significant sites. In doing so we aim to bring economic benefits to the regions, by creating opportunities for investment in visitor services, in conservation work and in growing a sustainable local tourist economy.”

Ireland currently has two World Heritage Properties: Brú na Bóinne in County Meath inscribed in 1993 and Sceilg Mhichíl in County Kerry inscribed in 1996.

Ireland’s current Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties was last updated in April of this year and includes:

• The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo.
• Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Valentia, Co. Kerry & Heart’s Content, Newfoundland) — a transnational application with Canada.
• The Royal Sites of Ireland (Dún Ailinne, Kildare; Hill of Uisneach, Westmeath; Rock of Cashel, Tipperary; Rathcroghan, Roscommon; and Tara,
• Meath) — a potential all island application to include Navan Fort, Armagh.
• The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (Birr Castle, Offaly and Dunsink Observatory, Dublin) — a potential all island application to include Armagh Observatory.

The Strategy commits to undertake an extensive review of Ireland’s Tentative List by 2035, ensuring other sites have an opportunity to be added to the List.

Furthermore, the Government has also agreed to proceed to ratify the Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage. The 2001 Convention aims to prevent loss of underwater cultural heritage, especially through recovery operations intentionally directed at such heritage such as works on underwater wrecks.

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

“Ireland cherishes the World Heritage status of two of our most beloved national icons, Brú na Bóinne and Sceilg Mhichíl. Through this strategy we intend to fulfil our obligations as a signatory to the World Heritage Convention and will play a part in unlocking rural Ireland’s tourism potential while showcasing our wonderful heritage internationally. I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders and local communities to advance this strategy while protecting Ireland’s precious heritage.”

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, TD noted:

“I am delighted to see the launch of the strategy that aims to increase the number of World Heritage Properties in Ireland and to sustainably manage World Heritage sites.

The OPW is proud to manage the renowned heritage locations and sites across Ireland. These sites play a significant part of Ireland’s culture and identity whilst promoting local economies and encouraging social ties.

As Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, I look forward to supporting future opportunities for our sites to be included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The inclusion of these internationally important sites is representative of Ireland’s remarkable history and culture on a global stage.”

The strategy sets out goals and actions to support the nomination of sites on Ireland’s Tentative List as well as implementing measures to enhance capacity for their conservation and management. The Strategy will also look to establish a National Heritage Label for sites in Ireland of national importance.

Further Information

World Heritage is the UNESCO designation for places that are of Outstanding Universal Value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

The Strategy sets out seven goals to achieve over the next ten years:

1. Increase the number of Irish sites that are inscribed on the World Heritage List (subject to approval by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee) and undertake an extensive review of Ireland’s Tentative List by 2035, ensuring other sites have an opportunity to be added to the List.
2. Develop statutory and non-statutory guidance for developing and managing World Heritage in Ireland.
3. Enhance the capacity and capability of all stakeholders for protecting and managing World Heritage in Ireland.
4. Support the proper protection, conservation, management, interpretation, and presentation of Ireland’s World Heritage Properties and Tentative List sites.
5. Integrate World Heritage into the wider framework of sustainable development to demonstrate and promote the benefits of heritage management in Ireland.
6. Contribute to World Heritage initiatives, including research and international collaboration.
7. Communicate the values and benefits of World Heritage inscription effectively and widely.
   Read more on the Strategy for World Heritage in Ireland 2025-2035