Ireland and UNESCO
The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was created in November 1945 in the aftermath of the Second World War. There were 37 original founders. Today the Organisation comprises 195 Member States and 10 Associate Members.
Perhaps best known for its work in designating and protecting World Heritage Sites - of which there are three on the island of Ireland - the Organisation was originally conceived to promote peace through international cooperation in education. Today, UNESCO builds on that mission in tackling some of the most pressing global policy challenges from a cultural and scientific perspective.
UNESCO's priority objectives
UNESCO focuses on a set of objectives in the global priority areas of Africa and gender equality.
They are committed to 5 main objectives:
- Attaining quality education and lifelong learning for all
- Mobilising science knowledge and policy for sustainable development
- Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
- Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace
- Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication
Key facts about Ireland and UNESCO
Ireland has been a Member of UNESCO since 3 October 1961.
The Irish National Commission for UNESCO is the Department of Education, and works to associate Irish governmental and non-governmental bodies in education, sciences, culture and communication with the work of the Organization.
The Delegation follows the General Conference, which is the highest decision-making organ of UNESCO and meets every two years, and the Executive Board, which meets twice a year. The Delegation also follows the work of committees and working groups, and participates in information meetings arranged by the different programme sectors.
UNESCO programmes
Find out more about Ireland's links with UNESCO.
UNESCO World Heritage Tenative List
In January 2019, the Department of Housing, Local Governance and Heritage requested applications to produce a new UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List of sites that might proceed to full World Heritage nomination.
In July 2022, the new Tentative List was announced. Out of the 6 applications received, 3 applications have been included on the new Tentative List for Ireland. Expert evaluation determined that these sites showed the potential to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, which is a precondition to the World Heritage List.
These sites include: The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; The Transatlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia-Heart’s Content, County Kerry; and the Royal Sites of Ireland, which include Dún Ailinne County Kildare; Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath; Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary; Rathcroghan County Roscommon and Tara County Meath.
UNESCO in Irish Life
See how UNESCO projects and activities impact on Irish life.
World heritage
The World Heritage List includes over one thousand sites spread across 167 countries.
UNESCO Biospheres
Established in 1971, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme examines the consequences of human interaction with the environment.
Geoparks
Geoparks are areas of exceptional geological significance that promote awareness of the earth's geological heritage.
UNESCO cultural projects
Details of the Memory of the World Programme, Creative Cities Network and the UNESCO Chairs Programme.
Intangible cultural heritage
Ireland ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015
Diversity of cultural expression
The 2005 Convention provides a framework for informed, transparent and participatory governance for culture.