Knowth, a UNESCO site in Ireland.

Discovering Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ireland is a land rich in history and natural beauty, with several sites recognized by UNESCO for their cultural and natural significance. Discovering these UNESCO sites in Ireland offers a unique insight into the country’s past and its natural splendor.

Brú naBóinne

Located in County Meath, Brú naBóinne is one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in the world, dating back to the Neolithic period. This site features the famous passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth. These tombs are known for their intricate megalithic art and their alignment with the sun during the winter solstice. Visiting Brú naBóinne provides a deep connection to Ireland’s ancient past and its early inhabitants.

Skellig Michael

Off the coast of County Kerry lies Skellig Michael, a rugged island that was home to a Christian monastery from the 6th to the 12th centuries. The monks lived in stone beehive huts perched on the island’s steep slopes, leading a life of isolation and devotion.

Skellig Michael’s dramatic landscape and well-preserved monastic remains make it a fascinating destination for those interested in Ireland’s early Christian heritage. The island also gained fame as a filming location for the Star Wars saga, adding to its allure.

Skellig Michael, Ireland.

The Giant’s Causeway

In Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a stunning natural wonder composed of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.

This unique geological formation has inspired myths and legends, such as the story of the giant Finn McCool. The site offers breathtaking coastal scenery and a visitor center that provides insight into the science and mythology of the Causeway. It’s a must-visit for anyone exploring Northern Ireland’s natural heritage.

Potential Future Sites—Preserving More of Ireland’s Heritage

Ireland continues to identify and preserve sites of significant cultural and natural value. Sites like the Burren and Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, with their unique karst landscape and biodiversity, are potential candidates for future UNESCO recognition. Efforts to protect and promote these areas highlight Ireland’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage for future generations.

Planning a Historical Tour of Ireland? Choose My Ireland Family Heritage

Discovering Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites is an enriching experience, offering a glimpse into the country’s ancient past and natural beauty.

My Ireland Family Heritage can help you explore these and other historical sites through tailored family history tours and cultural tours of Ireland. Whether you’re tracing your Irish roots in County Meath or looking to plan a self-drive historical tour of Ireland, we provide comprehensive genealogy research in Ireland and heritage touring services to bring your ancestry to life.

Get in touch with us today to learn more and start your journey.

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Customised Genealogy & Historical Tour

Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser Oct 2024 By • Family TomBarron2013 New York City, NY2

Once in a lifetime experience

Oct 2024 • Family

We highly recommend My Ireland Heritage for anyone who wants to learn and be guided to their Irish “roots” and much, much more. Sean Quinn and Ian Darragh of My Ireland Family Heritage have deep knowledge or the areas we wanted to visit in Meath, Sligo and Kilkenny. While we knew about one side of the family history back to 1690, there was nothing known about the other that arrived in the US in the 1870s.

Ian, Sean, and Nicola did thorough research on our localities and locations from which our ancestors left for America in 1849 and later. In addition, Ian and Sean did separate day-long “recons” in advance of our time with them, seeking out local people and the specific properties with maps and whatever records still available. Their results were absolutely outstanding! In both our cases, they found and took us to our still-existing cottages and shops from the early 1820s.

It was so enjoyable to be with Ian for three days and for a special day with Sean. Whether it was the Newgrange World Heritage sites 5,500 years old , the Battle of the Boyne 1690 , or the local cemeteries and churches of our ancestors. Ian was especially attentive to my wife throughout the travels after she twisted her ankle in a rain-soaked old cemetery.

Throughout the process of trip preparation over months to giving us the final, wonderful books of Meath and Sligo, Aisling was highly professional and responsive with all the many details. The bound books she prepared are treasures! Thanks to all for truly exceptional experiences.

Newgrange World Unesco Site 5500 years old
Battle of the Boyne 1690 AD
Customised Historical Tours Trim Castle
Entrance stone at Newgrange

Self Drive Product

Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser by Shelley L @ sjlively

Exceptional in every way!

Over the last few months of preparing for our trip, every single detail was meticulously attended, not only professionally, but helpfully, and in such a friendly manner, that I felt as if I knew Sean, Aisling and Ian before I even stepped off the plane.

The amount of work these wonderful people put into our personal history is mindboggling. My mother was an avid amateur genealogist, and had worked for decades to bring to light the trail our family took, but our resources are limited.

Sean knows exactly where to look, and was able to fill in so many gaps that had eluded us for generations. Some of the information he found, unbeknownst even to him, actually solidified the findings we had amassed over the years. Ours was a family in coal mining – I only found on our tour that they had originated from a mining area, and their arrival on the  border coincided exactly with the decline in the mining industry in County Wicklow.

I would have been overjoyed simply with the knowledge of why they left when they did, about 12 years before the famine. Breaking through our brick wall of great grandparents even farther back on the family tree was a dream come true, but to be able to set foot on not only the area they lived, and find that the house is still there was overwhelming. Seeing the family church and cemetery where our ancestors and extended family still rest is a truly moving experience.

The care taken by this company in each and every aspect of the journey cannot be overstated. Only about 2 weeks prior to my trip, Sean contacted me to let me know that he had also stumbled across some of my husband’s family name in the process and included them as well in his research. How often can anyone say that they not only got what they paid for, but more than they ever imagined? I can say that. They were even kind enough to answer a few follow-up questions after my return home, as I was so stunned on my tour with Ian that I didn’t think ask at the time.If you have the opportunity to make the trip to Ireland, contact My Ireland Family Heritage before you go.

If your family was there, Sean will go above and beyond to find them. Even without family, contact them anyway. Ian is a walking encyclopedia of history, and so fun to talk to. Aisling will make sure every “I” is dotted, and every “T” is crossed.  Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and the opportunity to pass on everything we have discovered to future generations

The Consultation at Hotel / Office or by Phone opens all doors
Genealogy gets you off the Beaten Track to see the Real Ireland

Unique to Every Address with My Ireland Family Research