Ireland | World Heritage Explorer

Ireland has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1991. It is home to 2 World Heritage Sites. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Cultural category.

Ireland as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 16, 1991

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None

Total of Mandate Years: 0

Total of Mandates: 0

WHC Electoral Group: I (Western Europe/North America)

World Heritage Sites in Ireland (2)

Cultural: 2 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 0

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne · Cultural
Sceilg Mhichíl · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (4)

The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland · submitted: September 12, 2025
Transatlantic Cable Ensemble · submitted: January 26, 2023
The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo · submitted: January 26, 2023
The Royal Sites of Ireland: Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan Complex, and Tara Complex · submitted: April 8, 2010

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Ireland

Official Name: Republic of Ireland

Continent: Europe

Subregion: Northern Europe

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Dublin

Population (2024): 5,380,257

Land Area: 68,890 km²

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Ireland

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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