UNESCO sites in Ireland By Orla O Halloran

What is UNESCO?  UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  The main objective of UNESCO is to promote peace and security throughout the world. This is done by having the world’s nations join forces through education, science, culture and communication.

 This is done to help achieve universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms which are denied to many people of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion.  The organisation’s founding statement declares that “peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and the moral solidarity of mankind.”

 The agency has it’s headquarters in Paris, France.  It operates educational, scientific and cultural programmes and exchange from field offices worldwide.

 Projects sponsered by UNESCO include international science programs, literacy, technical, and teacher training programs, regional and cultural history projects and international cooperation agreements to secure the world’s cultural and natural heritage and to preserve human rights.

UNESCO in Ireland  Ireland joined UNESCO on October 3 rd  Ireland is one of the countries contributing to the funding of the EFA (Education for All) Global Monitoring Report.  Another thing Ireland is associated with through UNESCO is the QualiFLY project. This project promotes family literacy.

UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland.  Ireland has two properties inscribed on the World Heritage List; the Bend of the Boyne and Skellig Michael.

 Ireland also has eight properties inscribed on the Tentative List; Kilarney National Park, Northwest Mayo Boglands, Clonmacnoise, Western Stone Forts, Cashel, Clara Bog, Burren and the Ceide Fields.

Bend of the Boyne.  The Bend of the Boyne or Brú na Bóinne as it is called in is Irish situated in Co. Meath.  The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex are Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.

 It is a complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric enclosures, some dating from as early as 35 th Century BC – 32 nd Century BC.  The site predates the Egypyian pyramids and was built with sophistication a knowledge of science and astronomy, which is most evident in the passage grave of Newgrange.  The site predates the Egypyian pyramids and was built with sophistication and a knowledge of science and astronomy, which is most evident in the passage grave of Newgrange.

 The site is often referred to as the "Bend of the Boyne" and this is often (incorrectly) taken to be a translation of Brú na Bóinne (of the Boyne). In 1690 it was the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne.  The site is often referred to as the "Bend of the Boyne" and this is often (incorrectly) taken to be a translation of Brú na Bóinne (Palace of the Boyne). In 1690 it was the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne.  The site covers 780ha and contains around 40 passage graves, as well as other prehistoric sites.

 Each of the three main megalith sites have significant archaeoastronomical significance. Newgrange and Dowth have Winter solstice solar alignments, while it is claimed Knowth has an Equinox solar alignment.

 These are all situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin.  This is Europe’s largest and most important collection of megalithic art.  The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions.

 The Committee inscribed the site under criteria and asked the Irish authorities to control carefully further developments in and around the site and to involve ICOMOS in conservation and management planning.

Skellig Michael  Skellig Michael is situated in Co. Kerry.  This is a monastic complex that dates back to the 7 th century.  It is situated on the steep sides of the rocky island of Skellig Michael, that is around 12km off the south west of Ireland.

 Skellig Michael shows us of the spartan existance of the first christians in Ireland.  The site is very well preserved because up til recent times the extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has discouraged many visitors.

 The Committee decided to inscribe Skellig Michael because of the cultural criteria and considering that the site is of outstanding universal value being an exceptional, and in many respects unique examples of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a remarkable environment.

 It shows us, as no other site can, the extremes of a Christian monasticism characterizing much of North Africa, the Near East and Europe.

 Skellig Michael