Offaly site on UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List can apply for extra funding

HERITAGE sites on Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, including the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (Dunsink, Dublin and Birr Telescope, Offaly) could tap into an additional €350,000 in capital investment funding aimed at their safeguarding.

The funding – from the continued piloting of the World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund - is available through local authorities for the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological and built heritage within UNESCO World Heritage Properties and Tentative List Sites.

The scheme will be managed by the National Monuments Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, working closely with relevant Local Authorities. It builds on the 2025 Pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund in which €240,000 was allocated to nine projects. The scheme aims to enhance the protection and management of Ireland’s World Heritage Properties, empower local communities and raise awareness of World Heritage.

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Announcing the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, remarked: “I am delighted to announce the investment scheme for World Heritage in Ireland is being continued in 2026, following its success in 2025. It builds on the Programme for Government commitment to support additional UNESCO sites to showcase Ireland’s heritage internationally and supports the implementation of the World Heritage Strategy for Ireland which I launched last year. It will also assist our journey towards inscription of our Tentative List sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, TD, added: “Investing in World Heritage is an investment in our shared past and our collective future. This scheme will help protect irreplaceable cultural treasures, support local communities, grow tourism and ensure that future generations can experience, enjoy and learn from the extraordinary heritage that defines us as a nation.

“Last year, the Pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund saw €240,000 of funding allocated to nine projects. This year the funding has increased significantly with €350,000 now available – clearly demonstrating this Government’s commitment to our precious heritage through sustained and meaningful support.”

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