Press release
Ireland’s Dry Stone Construction Receives UNESCO Recognition
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
• Ireland’s practice of Dry Stone Construction has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
• Ireland now has five cultural practices inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List
UNESCO has officially inscribed Ireland’s practice of Dry Stone Construction on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription was officially announced today during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is currently taking place in Asunción, Paraguay.
This recognition was part of an international application, led by Ireland, which also recognised similar cultural traditions in Andorra, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg under the inscription Dry Stone Construction, Knowledge & Techniques.
Dry Stone Construction is Ireland's fifth inscription on the UNESCO Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping was officially inscribed in 2017, followed by Hurling in 2018, Irish Harping in 2019 and Irish Falconry in 2021.
Ken Curran of the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland said:
“Inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is wonderful news for all of the communities involved in the safeguarding of the practice here. The communities in Ireland join an ever-increasing international community of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Resultant connections are being formed, knowledge-sharing is taking place, the safeguarding of the practice is being strengthened, and the wonderful culture of dry stone construction is being celebrated more and more.”
ENDS
Note to Editors
• In 2015, Ireland ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and in 2019, Ireland officially launched its’ National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (NIICH) under this Convention.
• Practices inscribed on the NIICH can seek recognition on UNESCO’s Representative List. An Expert Advisory Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage is in place and plays a key role in assessing expressions of interest from communities of practice seeking to join the NIICH or, subsequently, the UNESCO global list.
• Ireland lead on the joint application to UNESCO seeking the addition of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg to the existing UNESCO inscription of Dry Stone Construction, Knowledge & Techniques
• The Department worked closely with the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland to support the nomination.
• The official announcement was made during the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) , which is taking place in Asunción, Paraguay from 2nd to 7th December 2024.
• Dry Stone Construction is Ireland's fifth inscription on the UNESCO Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping was officially inscribed in 2017, followed by Hurling in 2018, Irish Harping in 2019 and Irish Falconry in 2021.