THE Hill of Tara can become a UNESCO World Heritage site -- even with a motorway running alongside it.
International experts have told Environment Minister John Gormley that the controversial M3 motorway under construction should not stop Ireland's richest archaeological site from joining the Acropolis, Vatican City and Taj Mahal as having "outstanding universal value".
Mr Gormley is to recommend that the Tara Skryne Valley in Co Meath be awarded World Heritage status, and will shortly undertake a conservation plan which will stop any future commercial development in the valley.
It is likely that one-off housing applications will be considered, but shopping centres, large-scale housing estates and other commercial developments will not be allowed.
Addressing the International Council on Monuments and Sites last night, Mr Gormley said that Dr Jukka Jokilehto did not see the motorway as excluding the Co Meath site from attaining world heritage status.
"I find his remarks very encouraging and it is my view that this site would be a contender for possible World Heritage site."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label world heritage site. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world heritage site. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Sunday, 11 November 2007
By George, Dublin could soon be a Unesco world heritage site
GEORGIAN Dublin could be added to Unesco's exclusive list of world heritage sites next year, but only if it can be shown that the architectural heart of the capital is of "outstanding universal value".
However, a number of older Irish sites are ahead of these buildings for elevation to the list of 181 buildings, sites and monuments, according to environment minister John Gormley.
To gain heritage status, a site must have "cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity".
The Burren in Clare, the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Ceide Fields in Mayo, Clara bog in Offaly, Clonmacnoise in Westmeath, Killarney national park in Kerry, northwest Mayo boglands and the Western Stone Fronts in Galway are considered to have a better chance of getting on the list than Georgian Dublin, which counts senator David Norris as its most famous champion. These are already on the government's "tentative" list of sites submitted to Unesco for consideration.
To date, Unesco has accepted just two sites in the Republic . . . Sceilig Micheal in Kerry and Bru na Boinne on the banks of the River Boyne . . . while the Giants Causeway also has Unesco heritage status.
Gormley last week said he would review the "tentative" list, which was compiled in 1992, and assured Fianna Fail's Chris Andrews he would consider Georgian Dublin in the context of this review.
While major kudos accrues to any government that gets a site onto the list, there is a sting in the tail. If accepted the site must be permanently protected. Given development needs, the government could not guarantee this for Georgian Dublin.
Tara was also considered but, as the building of the motorway through it could hardly be considered "permanent protection", it is unlikely to appear on the list.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
However, a number of older Irish sites are ahead of these buildings for elevation to the list of 181 buildings, sites and monuments, according to environment minister John Gormley.
To gain heritage status, a site must have "cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity".
The Burren in Clare, the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Ceide Fields in Mayo, Clara bog in Offaly, Clonmacnoise in Westmeath, Killarney national park in Kerry, northwest Mayo boglands and the Western Stone Fronts in Galway are considered to have a better chance of getting on the list than Georgian Dublin, which counts senator David Norris as its most famous champion. These are already on the government's "tentative" list of sites submitted to Unesco for consideration.
To date, Unesco has accepted just two sites in the Republic . . . Sceilig Micheal in Kerry and Bru na Boinne on the banks of the River Boyne . . . while the Giants Causeway also has Unesco heritage status.
Gormley last week said he would review the "tentative" list, which was compiled in 1992, and assured Fianna Fail's Chris Andrews he would consider Georgian Dublin in the context of this review.
While major kudos accrues to any government that gets a site onto the list, there is a sting in the tail. If accepted the site must be permanently protected. Given development needs, the government could not guarantee this for Georgian Dublin.
Tara was also considered but, as the building of the motorway through it could hardly be considered "permanent protection", it is unlikely to appear on the list.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
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