New Cross-border UNESCO Network will Connect Heritage Sites Across Ireland

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark is at the centre of an innovative new all-island partnership connecting UNESCO-designated sites across Ireland for the first time.

The Council has secured 100% funding through the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme (Investment Area 6.2) for the “UNESCO Together” Project which will be delivered over the next two years.

The initiative will establish a cross-border network linking UNESCO Global Geoparks, World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Creative Cities across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The project positions Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark as a leading partner in UNESCO collaboration, with a strong focus on peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth engagement and shared natural and cultural heritage. It also directly supports wider objectives around community cohesion and people-to-people connection.

At its core, UNESCO Together will develop an all-island strategic roadmap for long-term cooperation between UNESCO sites. This includes exploring future initiatives such as a UNESCO Tourism Trail, highlighting World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks as drivers of sustainable tourism, education, cultural identity and community development.

Supported by the UK National Commission to UNESCO and National Commission of Ireland to UNESCO, the project will bring together designated sites across the island to strengthen collaboration through shared landscapes, heritage and identity.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is the lead partner, responsible for overall coordination, governance, financial management and communications, with the project delivered in partnership with Cavan County Council and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.

The emerging network will involve all 14 UNESCO sites on the island of Ireland as well as the six Tentative UNESCO sites, creating new cross-border links through workshops, community exchanges, creative residencies, environmental action activities and cultural storytelling programmes.

Over the course of the project, UNESCO Together will deliver more than 650 participations in cross-border activities, including in-person workshops, community events at UNESCO sites and online exchanges.

Creative programmes will also celebrate UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage, including Irish harping, uilleann piping, hurling, falconry and dry stone walling.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said,

“UNESCO Together is an important and practical example of how we can work in partnership to deliver real benefits for our communities.

“This project brings together some of our most significant UNESCO sites and organisations to strengthen cooperation, share expertise and support sustainable tourism, education and cultural development in a way that delivers value for people locally.”

Cllr Hanna added: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is pleased to be leading this work with partners in Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark and we look forward to seeing communities, schools and organisations take part in the wide range of activities planned over the next two years. At its heart, this is about creating opportunities for people to connect, learn and benefit from our shared natural and cultural heritage in a practical and meaningful way.”

Ambassador David Brück, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD and UNESCO added, “At a time when peaceful cooperation is more important than ever, initiatives such as UNESCO Together highlight the power of cultural and natural heritage to bring people together, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and understanding”

Matt Rabagliati, Head of Policy, Research and Communications, at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: “Congratulations to UNESCO sites across the island of Ireland on this extraordinary initiative. UNESCO designations are not only places of outstanding natural and cultural heritage; they are also spaces for collaboration, learning and shared action.

“UNESCO Together shows how sites can work together across the island to build relationships, share approaches and support wider objectives around sustainability, peacebuilding and community cohesion.

“We are delighted to support this ambitious project through our Local to Global programme, and to work alongside the Irish National Commission for UNESCO to strengthen collaboration across the UNESCO network.”