Uisneach makes shortlist for World Heritage status

One of Westmeath's most important historical sites has made a shortlist of potential nominees for UNESCO's World Heritage List.The Hill of Uisneach - considered the mythological "navel" or centre of Ireland, located near Loughnavalley, Mullingar - has been bundled as part the Royal Sites of Ireland, one of seven features of Irish heritage to make a "tentative list" drawn up by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.The list has been compiled on the basis of the work of an Expert Advisory Group, established by Minister John Gormley, and sets out for each property a description, justification of outstanding universal value, UNESCO Operational Guidelines criteria met, statements of authenticity and integrity, and a comparison with other similar properties."The World Heritage List has evolved considerably since its inception," Minister Gormley said this week. "It is now much more difficult to meet the UNESCO requirements for inscription."I believe that the draft list contains a list of those Irish properties which are of outstanding universal value and which meet the UNESCO inscription requirements."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.It is envisaged that such consultation will take place through a partnership forum established for each proposed nomination," the Minister concluded.The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is now inviting comments and submissions on the draft new Tentative List, which must be submitted to the Department before 5pm on December 23, 2009.Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the announcement, Mullingar historian and Fine Gael politician Ruth Illingworth welcomed the announcement."I'm delighted to learn that the Hill of Uisneach, along with other Royal Sites, is being considered, and that recognition is at least being given to the importance of Uisneach as a site of historical, political, mythological and literary significance," Cllr. Illingworth said.She said that the Midlands' other important site, the monastic ruin at Clonmacnoise, would be a "front-runner" for World Heritage status, with the presence of tangible buildings."But it's great that Uisneach has at least been recognised, and is being considered," she continued."The Royal Sites of Ireland were of huge political, mythological and ancient literary importance."Uisneach has been listed as part of a package of Royal Sites including Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Rathcroghan and Tara.The Burren (Clare), the Céide Fields (Mayo), the Monastic City of Clomacnoise (Offaly), Western Stone Forts, and the early medieval monastic sites at Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Glendalough, Inis Cealtra, Kells and Monasterboice have also made the tentative list.Ireland is home to two World Heritage sites: the archaeological sites along the Brú na Bóinne (Meath), and Skellig Michael (Kerry).