Sligo's bid for UNESCO World Heritage underway with first formal nomination meeting
Following a site visit to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, the first official Nomination Team meeting was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rosses Point, Sligo.
The meeting brought together a cross-sectoral team of national and local stakeholders, including representation from the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works, Sligo County Council, Coillte, NPWS, Sligo Leader, Fáilte Ireland, Sligo Neolithic Landscapes group and the Farming Pillar.
The Nomination Team will guide the preparation of a Nomination dossier and management plan for 'The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo'.
The bid aims to achieve global recognition for one of Europe's most significant prehistoric landscapes.
The World Heritage bid is led by Sligo County Council in partnership with the National Monuments Service (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and the Office of Public Works, and a Memorandum of Understanding to progress the World Heritage bid has been signed by the parties. Sligo County Council will act as Lead Proponent for the World Heritage bid.
In November 2024, Sligo County Council appointed Robert Hensey to the role of Project Coordinator for The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo World Heritage Tentative List Site.
The World Heritage Site Nomination process, which will continue until 2030, will be guided by the recently appointed Dr. Carol Westrik, an experienced World Heritage expert from the Netherlands.
The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo was officially placed on Ireland's World Heritage Tentative List in July 2022, an essential first step towards World Heritage inscription. From this point, work begins to secure local stakeholder engagement and support for the bid as well as preparing a preliminary assessment request, Nomination dossier and management plan for the site.
Dating back over 5,000 years, the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo includes renowned sites such as Carrowmore, Carrowkeel, and Knocknarea.
It is a landscape of extraordinary international importance, and the Nomination process offers an opportunity not just to secure UNESCO status, but to deepen our understanding and protection of these unique prehistoric sites, in partnership with local communities.
The bid is an opportunity to ensure the protection of Sligo's remarkable and unique passage tomb landscape for future generations, with the support of landowners, the local community and the wider public.
It is also about new opportunities, and heritage-led economic and social regeneration.
UNESCO places great importance on the voice and support of landowners and local communities in shaping the Nomination bid. It is, at heart, a community-led, process.
Public engagement will be a cornerstone of the Nomination bid, ensuring that key stakeholders and the community are actively involved throughout the Nomination journey.
Over the next five years, Sligo County Council will engage with the whole community to see how together we can best protect, manage and celebrate this extraordinary Neolithic inheritance.
If successful, the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo would join Ireland's existing World Heritage Sites – Brú na Bóinne and Sceilg Mhichíl – further highlighting Ireland's exceptional archaeological and cultural legacy on the world stage.
For more information please contact: Robert Hensey, Sligo County Council. Project Coordinator for The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo World Heritage Tentative List Site. rhensey@sligococo.ie
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Work on improvements to Sligo Way trail get underway
Sligo Drumcliffe Councillor Thomas Walsh has been calling for improvements to be made to the Sligo Way over the last number of says the trail is one of Sligo's hidden gems and that he was delighted that improvement works had started. Works include upgrade of the trail between Union Wood and Slishwood, 2.8km in total length. Repair of a 500-metre section will also take place. The route will be upgraded consisting of a trail width 1.8/2 metre wide with stone initially and a dust finish will follow. €200,000 was obtained for this work via the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Fund. 'I want to thank Sligo County Council engineering staff, in particular Ray O'Grady, Nicolas Harkin and Coillte General Manager, Brian Mc Garry. Cllr Walsh said: 'We haven't invested in the Sligo Way like we should have over years and I am delighted to see this progress. I will continue to work for more linkages to the trail and improved access and signage from its villages such as Collooney, Ballisodare, Ballygawley and Ballintogher. 'I look forward to seeing continued progress including the design of a new viewing area overlooking Lough Lumann which will hopefully go to planning stage in the coming months. The Sligo Way is an 80km national trail route that traverses the County of Sligo in the from Lough Talt to Dromahair in County Leitrim. Attractions along the Sligo Way include a crannog or early lake dwelling on Lough Talt, megalithic tombs, and WB Yeats's Lake Isle of Innisfree on Lough Gill, Easky Lough, Ballygawley Woods, Lough Lumman, Lough Gill and Slish Wood. Lough Lumann is a mountain lake adjacent to Sliabh Deane and can be found between Union Wood and Slish Wood along the trail.
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Sligo's bid for UNESCO World Heritage underway with first formal nomination meeting
Chaired by Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, the Nomination Team convened to progress Ireland's bid to inscribe 'The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo' on the World Heritage List. Following a site visit to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, the first official Nomination Team meeting was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rosses Point, Sligo. The meeting brought together a cross-sectoral team of national and local stakeholders, including representation from the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works, Sligo County Council, Coillte, NPWS, Sligo Leader, Fáilte Ireland, Sligo Neolithic Landscapes group and the Farming Pillar. The Nomination Team will guide the preparation of a Nomination dossier and management plan for 'The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo'. The bid aims to achieve global recognition for one of Europe's most significant prehistoric landscapes. The World Heritage bid is led by Sligo County Council in partnership with the National Monuments Service (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and the Office of Public Works, and a Memorandum of Understanding to progress the World Heritage bid has been signed by the parties. Sligo County Council will act as Lead Proponent for the World Heritage bid. In November 2024, Sligo County Council appointed Robert Hensey to the role of Project Coordinator for The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo World Heritage Tentative List Site. The World Heritage Site Nomination process, which will continue until 2030, will be guided by the recently appointed Dr. Carol Westrik, an experienced World Heritage expert from the Netherlands. The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo was officially placed on Ireland's World Heritage Tentative List in July 2022, an essential first step towards World Heritage inscription. From this point, work begins to secure local stakeholder engagement and support for the bid as well as preparing a preliminary assessment request, Nomination dossier and management plan for the site. Dating back over 5,000 years, the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo includes renowned sites such as Carrowmore, Carrowkeel, and Knocknarea. It is a landscape of extraordinary international importance, and the Nomination process offers an opportunity not just to secure UNESCO status, but to deepen our understanding and protection of these unique prehistoric sites, in partnership with local communities. The bid is an opportunity to ensure the protection of Sligo's remarkable and unique passage tomb landscape for future generations, with the support of landowners, the local community and the wider public. It is also about new opportunities, and heritage-led economic and social regeneration. UNESCO places great importance on the voice and support of landowners and local communities in shaping the Nomination bid. It is, at heart, a community-led, process. Public engagement will be a cornerstone of the Nomination bid, ensuring that key stakeholders and the community are actively involved throughout the Nomination journey. Over the next five years, Sligo County Council will engage with the whole community to see how together we can best protect, manage and celebrate this extraordinary Neolithic inheritance. If successful, the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo would join Ireland's existing World Heritage Sites – Brú na Bóinne and Sceilg Mhichíl – further highlighting Ireland's exceptional archaeological and cultural legacy on the world stage. For more information please contact: Robert Hensey, Sligo County Council. Project Coordinator for The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo World Heritage Tentative List Site. rhensey@
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The overlooked European city that's a better summer holiday alternative with ‘bread' saunas and new Ryanair flights
I HAVE been in many saunas during my life, but never one that doubles up as an oven for baking bread. But that's exactly why the Eurothermen Spa in Bad Schallerbach, Austria, is so unique. Advertisement 5 Josie Griffiths enjoys the view of the Danube Loop Credit: Josie Griffiths 5 The fabulous Eurothermen Resort Credit: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach Perched on a wooden bench, I spend 15 minutes in there, watching a freshly kneaded Salzstangerl — a traditional Austrian salted bread stick — rise to perfection in the wall oven opposite me. When the sauna session is over, we sink our teeth into still-warm baguettes, which are seriously tasty. But there's one fact that could turn your stomach — everyone was naked. Well, except for me. This prudish Brit sat with a towel clasped tightly around her, despite the 70C heat. Advertisement Read More on Travel When I wasn't baking myself next to loaves, I was cooling down in the Ice Grotto, then sweating again in the Most-Fassl, a cider barrel thought to be the largest in the world, converted into a sauna. With such unusual delights, it's a surprise to me that Austria is often overlooked as a summer holiday destination by us Brits. The country offers so much more than just ski resorts. A booming spa culture is just one example, stunning landscapes are another. Advertisement Most read in City breaks During my trip, I stay in three different towns in Upper Austria, on the banks of There are now direct flights to Linz from Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival One of the highlights of the area is the Danube Loop, a point where the river turns a dramatic 180-degree bend — a sight not to be missed. Conveniently, this is located directly opposite my first hotel of the trip — the four-star Riverresort Donauschlinge — where the restaurant terrace offers awe-inspiring views of the landscape. Advertisement Potent pint Asparagus cordon bleu, spaetzle (pasta) and cream soup are among the Austrian delicacies on the menu. Aside from serving excellent grub, the hotel sits directly on the Danube Limes World Heritage route, a riverside cycle track which includes stops at well-preserved Roman ruins and the Schutz Art Museum. Travellers can also visit the Engelszell Abbey, which is more than just a monastery with a stunning ceiling mural. The monks produce schnapps, which tastes similar to Jagermeister, and beers of up to 10.5 per cent alcohol — a potent pint. Advertisement 5 Visit the unique Engelszell Abbey Credit: WGDDonauOberösterreichTourismusGmbHCarlettoPhotopgraphy 5 Explore the pretty town of Grieskirchen 5 The monks brewery at Engelszell Abbey Credit: WGDDonauOberösterreichTourismusGmbHCarlettoPhotopgraphy Mostschank Greinecker restaurant has a great sparkling apple cider (famous in the region), with cheese, more schnapps and apple strudel. Advertisement A small, family-run restaurant, with gorgeous hillside views, it's the perfect spot for a cosy dinner. Then you can stumble into bed at the Parkhotel Stroissmuller, which has its own cracking spa, too. If you'd rather stay in Linz itself, the Park Inn by Radisson offers comfortable, modern rooms just minutes from the tram stop. Known for being an industrial, steel-producing city, Linz has a gorgeous, quaint old town. Advertisement It was bombed heavily during World War Two, and today there's a mixture of buildings from different eras. Have lunch at Stiegl-Klosterhof, where beef goulash, sausage and cheese-soaked pretzels can line your stomach before you sip the brewery's own beers. Or try Gruner Veltliner, a tasty Austrian white wine. And don't worry if you knock back one too many — Linz's town slogan is: Take a risk, visit Linz. Advertisement GO: LINZ, AUSTRIA GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Linz from £53 return. See STAYING THERE: One night's B&B at Riverresort Donauschlinge is from £96pp. See One night's B&B at Parkhotel Stroissmuller is from £96pp. See One night's B&B at Park Inn by Radisson Linz is from £85 per room. See OUT & ABOUT: Entry to Eurothermen Spa Bad Schallerbach is from £30pp for a full-day pass. See
