New UNESCO cross-border partnership aims to unite Ireland’s heritage sites

A new cross-border initiative aims unite Dublin’s Biosphere and City of Literature in a collaborative two-year effort to foster peacebuilding, reconciliation, and shared heritage across the entire island

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 10:40, 21 Aug 2026 View 2 Images Kevin Street Library is located on 18 Lower Kevin Street, Dublin 8

UNESCO is uniting all of Ireland through a new cross-border partnership celebrating the island’s most remarkable cultural and natural landmarks.

Drawing on the capital’s two UNESCO designations , UNESCO Together is a new initiative bringing important heritage sites together into a single collaborative network for the first time. Led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark, the project is funded through the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme and will run for two years with a focus on peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth engagement and shared heritage.

Dublin will play a key role in shaping this new cross‑border partnership through the participation of Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve and Dublin City of Literature. These two UNESCO designations will help drive creative exchanges, environmental learning, youth programmes and long‑term strategic planning across the network.

Lord Mayor Daryl Barron has welcomed the initiative as a chance to “showcase the very best of our city” and “our unique natural environment and our rich cultural heritage”. “By working with UNESCO partners across the island, we have an opportunity to strengthen connections, inspire young people, share knowledge and demonstrate how culture and nature can help build more sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities,” he stated.

As a UNESCO City of Literature, Dublin supports, promotes and develops literary heritage and contemporary literary life in the city, enhancing the position of creativity as the key to sustainable development. Dublin became the world's fourth UNESCO City of Literature in 2010, joining an expanding group of cities world-wide as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a leading example of how a major city can protect sensitive natural environments while supporting sustainable community use. In partnership with Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin Port Company, Fáilte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin City Council seeks to connect people and nature by inspiring greater understanding and appreciation of Dublin Bay’s unique natural heritage.

UNESCO Together will link Ireland’s Biosphere Reserves, Creative Cities, World Heritage Sites, Global Geoparks and Tentative Sites, creating new opportunities for shared learning, sustainable tourism and community engagement. More than 650 cross‑border participations are planned, including workshops, cultural events, environmental activities and online exchanges.

At its core, the project endeavours to develop a long‑term roadmap for UNESCO collaboration across Ireland, including exploring a future UNESCO Tourism Trail celebrating the island’s most remarkable cultural and natural landmarks.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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