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· ‘National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage’ to be compiled to safeguard Ireland’s living culture in tandem with UNESCO Convention
· Intangible cultural heritage is a living form of heritage that cannot be touched (unlike, for example, our built heritage).
· It includes oral traditions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Thursday) launched an open, nationwide call for submissions to Ireland's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Once compiled, the list will acknowledge and promote Ireland’s living culture through official State recognition. In tandem with this, it will fulfil Ireland’s obligations under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which Ireland signed up to in December 2015 to raise awareness of, and respect for, our unique living culture.
Intangible cultural heritage represents living forms of heritage that cannot be touched – unlike, for example, our built heritage. It refers to the practices, representations and expressions that are central to the lives and identities of our communities, groups and individuals.
Applications for Ireland’s National Inventory are being accepted in the following categories:
1. Oral traditions and expressions, including language
2. Performing arts
3. Social practices, rituals and festive events
4. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
5. Traditional craftsmanship

Minister Humphreys said: “The traditions and practices of our communities are the backbone of Irish culture and identity. They mould our past, inform our present and pave the way for our future. Up to the present day, they have been a source of great inspiration and pride to our people. I believe that it is our responsibility to acknowledge and celebrate them at a national level for the Ireland of tomorrow.”
Individuals or organisations seeking to be considered for inclusion on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage are invited to complete an Expression of Interest form. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 January 2018.

Notes to the Editor
1. Open Call for the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
The open call for the National Inventory will proceed as follows:
· Interested parties should fill out and submit the Expression of Interest form.
· Expressions of Interest will be evaluated by a national expert advisory committee to ensure they reflect the criteria set out in the Convention.
· Successful applications will be invited to develop their final submission that will become part of the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2. Application Process for the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
· Expressions of Interest can be made by organisations, individuals, or groups of individuals, who are connected with an element of intangible cultural heritage. Cooperation from multiple interested parties on an application is encouraged.
· Expression of Interest forms can be downloaded via the following link and filled out in Irish or English: https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/projects-and-programmes/intangible-cultural-heritage/
· All queries and completed forms should be sent via email to nationalich@chg.gov.ie
· The deadline for submitting Expression of Interest forms is Wednesday 31 January 2018.

3. 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

· Ireland ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2015.
· The text of the Convention can be found at https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention
· Successful applicants to the National Inventory may also consider seeking nomination by the State for inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The State is entitled to make one nomination to this list every year.
· Applications for 2016 (Uilleann Piping) and 2017 (Hurling) are currently being assessed by UNESCO.