Ireland’s Dry Stone Construction Receives UNESCO Recognition

• Ireland’s practice of Dry Stone Construction has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

• Ireland now has five cultural practices inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List

UNESCO has officially inscribed Ireland’s practice of Dry Stone Construction on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription was officially announced today during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is currently taking place in Asunción, Paraguay. (See video above)

This recognition was part of an international application, led by Ireland, which also recognised similar cultural traditions in Andorra, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg under the inscription Dry Stone Construction, Knowledge & Techniques.

Dry Stone Construction is Ireland's fifth inscription on the UNESCO Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping was officially inscribed in 2017, followed by Hurling in 2018, Irish Harping in 2019 and Irish Falconry in 2021.

Inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity inscription is wonderful news for all involved in the safeguarding of the practice here. The communities in Ireland join and ever increasing international community of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Resultant connections are being formed, knowledge sharing is taking place, the safeguarding of the practice is being strengthened, and the wonderful culture of dry stone construction is being celebrated more and more.

(The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland)

The knowledge of the 'Art of Dry Stone Construction' has been part of Irish culture for thousands of years. Since Neolithic settlers built our ancient field systems like the Céide Fields or the corbelled domes of The Great Passage Tombs of Brú na Bionne.

Irish dry stone landscapes are synonimous with what it means to be Irish and are recognsiable throughout the world.

The only UNESCO World Heritage sites here in Ireland (Sceilg Mhichíl and Brú na Boinne) are both of dry stone construction.

The continuity of practice since the Stone Age has left us with a rich and beautiful tapestry of dry stone structures and landscapes dotted throughout the island.

Every county in Ireland has some dry stone landscapes.

With the rich diversity of geology and landuse, many dry stone building styles and patterns have developed in Ireland, which came from familiarity with the materials, and the 'way that works'.

The intangible cultural nature of how the knowledge has been retained, makes it vulnerable to loss without support for the active communities who are the bearers of the practice. The addition of Ireland to the UNESCO inscription is recognition of the many individuals and communities around Ireland still practicing dry stone construction and everyone involved in the safeguarding of the practice.

Having had Dry Stone Construction added to the list of countries on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity inscription is wonderful news for all of those communities.

The practitioners in Ireland now join and ever increasing international community of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As a result connections are being formed, knowledge sharing is taking place, the safeguarding of the practice is being strengthened, and the wonderful culture of dry stone construction is being celebrated.

 (Ken Curran, Trustee DSWAI)