Welcome to World Heritage Ireland

‘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.

World Heritage Properties and Other UNESCO Designations

MarkerType of Site
Red MarkerWorld Heritage Property
Blue MarkerTentative List Site
Purple MarkerMemory of the World Elements
Green MarkerBiosphere Reserve
Yellow MarkerCreative City
Orange MarkerGlobal Geopark

Latest News

World Heritage Ireland Public Consultation

Public asked to contribute to Ireland’s debut World Heritage Strategy

Posted on 11 March 2024

A public consultation has been launched today inviting members of the public and interested stakeholders to participate in the development of the first World Heritage Strategy for Ireland. A ‘Strategy for World Heritage in Ireland 2024-2034’ will set out a vision for World Heritage in Ireland with an aim to ensure that it is developed and managed in line with the requirements of the 1972

National Monuments Service Engagement with UNESCO on Global Heritage Matters

Posted on 7 March 2024

National Monuments Service was pleased to recently accompany Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD to UNESCO HQ for a series of meetings and engagements around Ireland’s commitment to support UNESCO’s important World Heritage activities. Alongside Ireland’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, meetings were held with the Director

The World Heritage Education Programme - Patrimonito International Storyboard Competition 2022 - Call for Submissions

Posted on 29 August 2022

UNESCO’s World Heritage Education Programme have announced the Patrimonito International Storyboard Competition 2022. This scheme dates back to 2002 when the World Heritage Education Programme launched the cartoon series ‘Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures’. The cartoon aims to raise the awareness of the importance of heritage preservation among the youth, through a “by young

Ministers announce new World Heritage Tentative List for Ireland

Posted on 23 August 2022

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcom Noonan TD have announced a new World Heritage Tentative List for Ireland. The Tentative List is an inventory of natural and cultural heritage sites that may have potential to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value and therefore
Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan, 2020–30

New Ten-year Sceilg Mhichíl Management Plan strengthens commitment to protect, conserve and promote the UNESCO World Heritage Island

Posted on 17 December 2021

Minister of State with Responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcom Noonan TD, and the Minister of State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan TD, have today launched a new 10-year management plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Sceilg Mhichíl. This second ten-year management plan is an important milestone in the story of Sceilg Mhichíl,
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Latest Publications

Seabird Report Cover 2023

A Summary of Seabird Monitoring on Sceilg Mhichíl 2020 – 2023

Published on 12 February 2024

Please find attached a report by NPWS describing seabird survey work between 2020 and 2023.

Archaeological excavation of a rock ledge above the Upper Lighthouse station, Skellig Michael, Co. Kerry. Ministerial Consent No. C0001210. Licence Nos. E005529, R000617

Published on 1 February 2024

This is the Final Report for a rescue excavation commissioned by the National Monuments Service in 2023 on an area of ground at the Upper Lighthouse on Sceilg Mhichíl that is the subject of erosion from increased storminess and precipitation.

Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan 2020–30: Action Programme – Progress Tracker (December 2023)

Published on 31 January 2024

This report, dated December 2023, tracks the progress of implementing the action programme of the Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan 2020–30.

Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Property Management Plan 2017–27: Action Plan – Progress Tracker (December 2023)

Published on 31 January 2024

This report, dated December 2023, tracks the progress of implementing the action plan of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Property Management Plan 2017–27.

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