Four Cultural Practices recognised as part of Ireland’s Intangible Heritage

• Minister Martin Announces State Recognition of Irish Set Dancing, St. Brigid’s Cross Weaving, Gaelic Football and Ladies’ Gaelic Football, the Irish Amateur Dramatic Tradition

• Announcement brings the number of cultural practices on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage to 42

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has announced formal State recognition of four additional practices as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage.

At an event at Croke Park during the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final between Donegal and Galway yesterday, Minister Martin announced the recognition of Irish Set Dancing, Gaelic Football and Ladies’ Gaelic Football, Weaving of a St. Brigid’s Cross, and the Irish Amateur Dramatic Tradition.

Following recommendation from Ireland’s Expert Advisory Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage, these four cultural practices will join 38 other cultural practices already recognised on Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Ireland maintains this National Inventory in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage , which Ireland ratified in 2015. The aim of the National Inventory for Intangible Cultural Heritage is to protect, promote and celebrate Irish living cultural heritage practices, customs, crafts and traditions.

Minister Martin said:

“Our living heritage is an integral part of our culture. I am pleased to announce state recognition of four further practices through Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Each of these practices is integral to the culture and identify of the communities who practice them, and to our society more broadly. As part of my department’s ongoing obligations under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, we aim to acknowledge, safeguard and promote Ireland’s cultural heritage. The practices recognised today continue to thrive through the dedicated communities who sustain and pass on their skills through the generations”

Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, said:

“We are extremely honoured to have Gaelic football formally added to Ireland’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Just as hurling and camogie were recognised by UNESCO in 2018, this recognition is important because Gaelic football and Ladies Gaelic football are an intrinsic part of who we are. They are unique to us and their importance to Irish people is evidenced by their popularity in more than 1,600 clubs throughout this island and the 500 GAA clubs which exist elsewhere in the world. We are enormously proud of the skills and artistry which have evolved in our national games over centuries, and we are delighted that Gaelic games have been recognised and supported by the Government, and thank Minister Catherine Martin and her colleagues for their continuing support.”

Ard-Stiúrthóir of the LGFA, Helen O’Rourke, said:

“We are delighted to have Ladies’ Gaelic Football recognised on this list. This is a timely announcement as we get set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association next Thursday, July 18th. We have come a long way in half a century, with almost 200,000 members in our Association, and over 1,000 clubs across Ireland and Britain. To have our sport inscribed on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a source of great pride to us. Our entire membership base has played a key role to ensure that this has now come to pass and we wish to acknowledge Minster Catherine Martin and her colleagues, who continue to provide invaluable assistance and support. I warmly welcome this important development and it is also wonderful to see men’s Gaelic Football formally recognised in a similar vein.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage is an ongoing and growing project. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is pleased to accept Expressions of Interest from living cultural heritage elements. Application forms may be downloaded here and submitted via email to nationalich@tcagsm.gov.ie

Under processes currently in place, it is open to any stakeholder to submit an Expression of Interest for inscription of a cultural practice on the national list. An Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) is in place, which reviews these applications and makes recommendations to the Minister.

Separately, ICH practices can seek recognition on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In order to apply for this recognition, practices must first be inscribed on the National Inventory before applying for UNESCO recognition.

D/TCAGSM and the EAC work with practitioners for items on the national inventory which wish to seek inscription on global representative list.

For more information, please see: nationalinventoryich.tcagsm.gov.ie.