Speaking today (Wednesday 18 April 2012) at a joint Heritage Council/ICOMOS Ireland Conference on new initiatives for engaging communities in interpreting and presenting heritage, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, said that direct involvement by local communities was critical if new candidate sites were to meet UNESCO’s exacting standards for World Heritage status.
“While only the State can nominate a potential World Heritage site, I believe it is vital for local communities to become fully engaged in the process. Indeed it is my view that the impetus for developing any new application should come from the community itself, supported by the local authority, rather than from the top down”, the Minister said.
The Minister also outlined imminent changes to the rules governing the LEADER programme that will make it possible for community groups to apply for funding for projects involving the conservation and presentation of archaeological or historical monuments. He described the new funding arrangements as “a very positive development that will provide practical support for community participation in many new heritage initiatives, including protecting sites that are on the tentative list for World Heritage status. Properly designed and managed LEADER conservation projects will prolong the life of historic structures, protect archaeological resources, create a source of local pride and promote local economies through tourism and other activities.”
The Minister said that a tentative list of new World Heritage sites had been drawn up by an Expert Advisory Group as possible additions to the existing sites at Bru na Boinne, Skellig Michael and the Giant’s Causeway. The potential candidates include:
· the Royal Sites of Tara, Cashel, Dun Ailinne and Rathcroghan;
· the Monastic Sites, including Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Kells and Glendalough; the Burren in Co Clare and the Ceide Fields/North Mayo Boglands that are of importance to both cultural and natural heritage; Dublin City for its literary contribution to world culture.
“UNESCO sets very high standards”, the Minister said, “and one of the best ways of protecting and promoting our wonderful heritage, both built and natural, is to add to the number of Irish sites on the World Heritage List.” The Minister said that there was a growing awareness and underlining of the need for community engagement with the process. “Indeed an appreciation of the potential benefits to a community of having a World Heritage site in their midst, along with an understanding of the obligations and measure that are necessary to protect it, can best be gained through direct participation in the preparation of the application for inscription”, he added.
The Minister said that he would also be looking to local authorities to play a more pro-active role. “In addition to their obligation to ensure that County Development Plans and Local Area Plans include policies and objectives to protect these sites, local authorities have the resources and the expertise to assist communities to focus their engagement and to provide the necessary leadership where appropriate.”