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Stone Walls of Ireland Inscribed onto UNESCO List of Protected Intangible Cultural World Heritage
Written by Darren McLoughlin
Ancient Stone Wall in Ireland
©Panoramic Ireland
Finally, Ireland's famous stone walls have been added to UNESCO's list of protected heritage world practices.
In 2018 France, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Cyprus were all inscribed onto the list.
Strangely, Ireland wasn't included despite the prevalence, both geographically across the island of Ireland, and historically through time from the neolithic Cedide Fields through to modern field boundaries that vary by region from Connemara to the Mournes of County Down.
The Céide Fields of County Mayo have some of the oldest field systems on the planet, fields bounded by stone walls dating back 6,000 years.
I've written about stone walls before here on Panoramic Ireland, but this is the first time that Irish stone walls have gained international prominence.
It's interesting that intangible cultural practices include customs, traditions, crafts, games and practices that are part of people's lives and identities both individually and wider communities, and are passed on from generation to generation.
Yet surely a stone wall is tangible, a physical structure which is of course touchable, viewable and part of the wider community.
Anyway, the ancient Irish, and modern, landscapes are filled with traditional Irish culture and adding Ireland to this list will undoubtedly help in the realisation that stone walls are more than just a scenic addition to the Irish landscape, they are an integral part of Ireland.
Panoramic Ireland has built many stone walls over the years and enjoyed every single minute.
But more importantly, Panoramic Ireland is continuing to photograph Irish landscapes such as stone walls.
Published in
Guide
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Darren McLoughlin
Irishman and International travel photographer in search of the best bits of Ireland. Leading photography tours and experiences in Ireland.
Contributor to New York Times / Sunday Times / Irish Times / Echtra Echtra and Eonmusic
Cancer survivor.
Ask me about travel in Ireland or about photography in Ireland.
https://darrenmcloughlin.com4 comments
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Tuesday, 10 December 2024 22:06
posted by Darren McLoughlin
Hi Brian, I think there are a few names depending on what the purpose is - sometimes for wildlife and sometimes for people. Do send your picture to my email, it's right up on the top bar if you scroll up. Thanks, Darren
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Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:30
posted by Brian
Have you any idea what the man made gaps in stone walls are called ? ( other than gaps?) designed to keep livestock in and facilitate easy human access I came across a lovely example in Kenmare and would like to send the photo but can’t send, or don’t know how
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Sunday, 08 December 2024 19:16
posted by Tom Parker
Your site is exceptional !
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Sunday, 08 December 2024 19:13
posted by Sandro Rocha
Dude...most beautiful mate...brings me loads of wonderful memories...this country is magical in my mind...i love it.
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