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

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 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

Ireland ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1991 to ensure that our shared irreplaceable cultural and natural heritage is protected for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The National Monuments Service (NMS) in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the Government’s Focal Point for engagement with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and its lead agency for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Ireland.

The Strategy sets out seven goals to achieve over the next ten years and emphasises the role of local communities and key stakeholders in World Heritage processes, management, conservation, protection, presentation, and interpretation. The NMS is seeking the views of individuals and organisations with regard to the draft vision and goals, what the biggest challenges are across the key areas of its work, and any other feedback that should be taken into account as the Strategy is developed.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, welcomed the launch of the public consultation:

“This public consultation offers a valuable opportunity for people to have their say on the future of World Heritage here in Ireland. Despite being a small island nation, we have two recognised UNESCO World Heritage Properties and a further three sites on our Tentative List. These iconic sites are of huge cultural and historical significance and form a defining part of our visual and cultural identity, both at home and abroad. We have a responsibility to care for and nurture this rich cultural and natural heritage so that future generations may enjoy it and this consultation will allow the public to have their say on how we go about this.”

Members of the public can participate by completing the online questionnaire. The consultation is planned to close on 10/04/2024.

Update: the consultation has been extended until 15/04/2024.