Ireland's Dry Stone Construction Inscribed On UNESCO Representative List

Dry Stone Construction in Ireland has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This means Ireland now has five cultural practices inscribed on the list after it was announced this week during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Paraguay.

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.


Ken Curran of the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland said: "Inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is wonderful news for all of the communities involved in the safeguarding of the practice here.

"The communities in Ireland join an ever-increasing international community of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

"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."

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.