Menu
07/02/2023
Gracehill In Bid To Become NI's First Cultural World Heritage Site
Gracehill in County Antrim has been included alongside two other global sites in a bid to secure Northern Ireland's first cultural world heritage site and elevate it alongside the likes of the Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China.
The proposal to UNESCO is part of a transnational bid involving three global sites – Bethlehem in Pennsylvania (USA), Herrnhut in Saxony, Germany and Gracehill.
All three settlements are associated with the Moravian Church, including Gracehill which is the best preserved Moravian settlement on the island of Ireland.
The picturesque village, located on the rural outskirts of Ballymena, was laid out in the 18th century as a settlement of the Moravian Church and was designated as Northern Ireland's first conservation area in 1975.
The nomination is being led by the United States in conjunction with the German and UK governments. It is the first multi-country bid in the 45-year history of the World Heritage Convention to be led by the US.
Colum Boyle, Permanent Secretary Department for Communities, has welcomed the development and thanked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for coordinating the UK part of the three-nation bid.
"Gracehill is an important part of our diverse heritage and the Department has been pleased to work with the local community and council over many years as they have sought to preserve the village and ensure that its potential can be realised.
"If successful in securing World Heritage Site status, Gracehill and the wider community will benefit culturally and economically from this important accolade that will further protect an important piece of history for future generations."
UK Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:
"This wonderfully well-preserved 18th-century settlement offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Moravian Church and its community of worshippers.
"The village of Gracehill would be a worthy recipient of the first cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, complementing the natural heritage of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast. I look forward to supporting this bid in the coming months."
David Johnston of the Gracehill Trust believes securing World Heritage status would be "hugely significant" to Northern Ireland.
He said: "Gracehill has been a good news story for 250 years and for the last 20 years we have been working with international partners to achieve World Heritage status.
"The prize of World Heritage designation would be hugely significant, and granting Northern Ireland its first cultural World Heritage listing would bring benefits for tourism, the economy, regeneration, job creation and even reconciliation whilst enriching the profile for the whole region.
"This is a unique opportunity to achieve something of lasting significance that everyone can be proud of and share in, with substantial potential benefits now and for generations to come."
The Department for Communities and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have provided financial support and expertise to Gracehill Trust to commission an international consultant to carry out research and prepare a nomination document to UNESCO.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Noel Williams, added: "World Heritage Status for Gracehill would benefit Mid and East Antrim considerably by raising the global profile of the Borough, supporting the local economy, especially the visitor economy, and impacting on education, quality of life and civic pride.
"The purpose of World Heritage is to help recognise and preserve the named area for present and future generations. Gracehill is an area of our Borough that we are very proud of and for that reason we would champion any plans that preserve it."
The transnational nomination will be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee next year.
The historic Moravian district of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania is an 18th century community created under the auspices of the original Moravian congregation in Herrnhut, Germany.
The Giant's Causeway was designated as a Natural World Heritage site in 1986, but if successful Gracehill would be the first in Northern Ireland to be granted Cultural World Heritage status.
The proposal to UNESCO is part of a transnational bid involving three global sites – Bethlehem in Pennsylvania (USA), Herrnhut in Saxony, Germany and Gracehill.
All three settlements are associated with the Moravian Church, including Gracehill which is the best preserved Moravian settlement on the island of Ireland.
The picturesque village, located on the rural outskirts of Ballymena, was laid out in the 18th century as a settlement of the Moravian Church and was designated as Northern Ireland's first conservation area in 1975.
The nomination is being led by the United States in conjunction with the German and UK governments. It is the first multi-country bid in the 45-year history of the World Heritage Convention to be led by the US.
Colum Boyle, Permanent Secretary Department for Communities, has welcomed the development and thanked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for coordinating the UK part of the three-nation bid.
"Gracehill is an important part of our diverse heritage and the Department has been pleased to work with the local community and council over many years as they have sought to preserve the village and ensure that its potential can be realised.
"If successful in securing World Heritage Site status, Gracehill and the wider community will benefit culturally and economically from this important accolade that will further protect an important piece of history for future generations."
UK Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:
"This wonderfully well-preserved 18th-century settlement offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Moravian Church and its community of worshippers.
"The village of Gracehill would be a worthy recipient of the first cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, complementing the natural heritage of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast. I look forward to supporting this bid in the coming months."
David Johnston of the Gracehill Trust believes securing World Heritage status would be "hugely significant" to Northern Ireland.
He said: "Gracehill has been a good news story for 250 years and for the last 20 years we have been working with international partners to achieve World Heritage status.
"The prize of World Heritage designation would be hugely significant, and granting Northern Ireland its first cultural World Heritage listing would bring benefits for tourism, the economy, regeneration, job creation and even reconciliation whilst enriching the profile for the whole region.
"This is a unique opportunity to achieve something of lasting significance that everyone can be proud of and share in, with substantial potential benefits now and for generations to come."
The Department for Communities and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have provided financial support and expertise to Gracehill Trust to commission an international consultant to carry out research and prepare a nomination document to UNESCO.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Noel Williams, added: "World Heritage Status for Gracehill would benefit Mid and East Antrim considerably by raising the global profile of the Borough, supporting the local economy, especially the visitor economy, and impacting on education, quality of life and civic pride.
"The purpose of World Heritage is to help recognise and preserve the named area for present and future generations. Gracehill is an area of our Borough that we are very proud of and for that reason we would champion any plans that preserve it."
The transnational nomination will be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee next year.
The historic Moravian district of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania is an 18th century community created under the auspices of the original Moravian congregation in Herrnhut, Germany.
The Giant's Causeway was designated as a Natural World Heritage site in 1986, but if successful Gracehill would be the first in Northern Ireland to be granted Cultural World Heritage status.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 July 2024
Gracehill Recognised As A UNESCO Site
The small Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The announcement was made following the 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India. This marks Northern Ireland's first cultural designation.
Gracehill Recognised As A UNESCO Site
The small Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The announcement was made following the 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India. This marks Northern Ireland's first cultural designation.
16 August 2024
Communities Minister Visits Historic Gracehill After UNESCO Recognition
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has visited the Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim to celebrate its recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gracehill has now joined the Moravian Church Villages World Heritage Site, alongside Herrnhut in Germany, Christiansfeld in Denmark and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, USA.
Communities Minister Visits Historic Gracehill After UNESCO Recognition
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has visited the Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim to celebrate its recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gracehill has now joined the Moravian Church Villages World Heritage Site, alongside Herrnhut in Germany, Christiansfeld in Denmark and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, USA.
14 March 2005
Giant’s Causeway management plan completed
Environment Minister Angela Smith has announced that the management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been submitted to UNESCO. The management plan had been requested by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, following its mission to the Giant’s Causeway in 2003.
Giant’s Causeway management plan completed
Environment Minister Angela Smith has announced that the management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been submitted to UNESCO. The management plan had been requested by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, following its mission to the Giant’s Causeway in 2003.
09 January 2013
National Trust Begins Golf Resort Block Bid
The National Trust has begun its bid to block the building of a new £100m golf course and resort near the Giant’s Causeway on the north coast. The Trust has taken the matter to the High Court, as it attempts to challenge a decision by the Department of the Environment to grant permission for the Bushmills Dunes project.
National Trust Begins Golf Resort Block Bid
The National Trust has begun its bid to block the building of a new £100m golf course and resort near the Giant’s Causeway on the north coast. The Trust has taken the matter to the High Court, as it attempts to challenge a decision by the Department of the Environment to grant permission for the Bushmills Dunes project.
27 January 2011
Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
Just over six months after preliminary developments took place, large-scale construction work has now started on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre. Hundreds of jobs are to be created as construction work gets underway, with the target opening date set for summer 2012.
Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
Just over six months after preliminary developments took place, large-scale construction work has now started on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre. Hundreds of jobs are to be created as construction work gets underway, with the target opening date set for summer 2012.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
