Despite dramatic opposition last year to proposals to designate Clonmacnoise a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastic site has appeared on a “tentative list” of nominees for the honour.
The latest list of nominees, revealed this week by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, includes “the monastic city of Clonmacnoise and its cultural landscape”, spanning counties Offaly, Roscommon, and Westmeath.
The site is also included in a separate submission on early monastic sites along with Durrow, Glendalough, Inis Cealtra, Kells, and Monasterboice.
Clonmacnoise is described in the submission as “an unparalleled and outstanding example of a relict early medieval insular monastic city unobscured by modern building development”. It adds that it is set “within a superlative semi-natural landscape that deepens its spiritual qualities, adding greatly to its authenticity and integrity”.
Clonmacnoise was first put forward by the Irish Government as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Last July a highly charged meeting to discuss the bid descended into an IFA-led walkout as several farmers voiced their concern at the potential restrictions that might be imposed on farmers in the Clonmacnoise area by its inclusion on the list.
However, speaking this week, Minister Gormley re-emphasised that “the nomination of any property from the new tentative list for inscription on the World Heritage List will only take place after consultation with relevant stakeholders and interested parties”.
The list is expected to be presented to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Brasilia at the end of July.
The Hill of Uisneach, between the Westmeath villages of Ballymore and Loughnavalley, also appears on the list as one of the “Royal Sites of Ireland” which also include Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Rathcroghan, and Tara.
Also included on the list are the historic city of Dublin, the Céide Fields and North West Mayo Boglands, Western Stone Forts, Early Medieval Monastic Sites, and the Royal Sites of Ireland.
There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland at present; these are Skellig Michael, off the Kerry coast, and Brú na Bóinne in County Meath.
Although Offaly’s Clara Bog, Killarney National Park, and Cashel were submitted in 1992, none have yet been designated.
