What’s the role of World Heritage Sites today?: An Irish perspective

Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is being adapted to reduce the vulnerability of the site since the increased footfalls due to its use in Star Wars.
Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is being adapted to reduce the vulnerability of the site since the increased footfalls due to its use in Star Wars. Image: Ronan Mac Giollapharaic CC BY SA 4.0

Connell Vaughn, a professor of Aesthetics and Critical Theory from TU Dublin weighs in on the relationship between heritage management and World Heritage listing, its merits, impact and drawbacks.

The article highlights the trouble with blanket policy execution across the world for heritage sites when economic inequities and political instability in different parts of the world have a great role in determining the realities of these sites, their protection and promotion. Ireland has shown little engagement with the World Heritage Site list since the mid-1990s.

Find out why on RTE.

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Doneren