# List of World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Properties are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage. Ireland ratified the convention on 16 September 1991.
As of 2025, Ireland has two sites on the list, and a further three on the tentative list. The first site listed was Brú na Bóinne – Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne, in 1993. The second site, Sceilg Mhichíl, was listed in 1996. Both are cultural sites, as determined by the organisation's selection criteria.

## World Heritage Sites

UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.
| Site | Image | Location (county) | Year listed | UNESCO data | Description |
| Brú na Bóinne – Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne | | Meath | 1993 | 659; i, iii, iv (cultural) | The site is a complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric enclosures, some dating from as early as 35th century BC – 32nd century BC. The site was built with sophistication and a knowledge of science and astronomy, which is most evident in the passage grave of Newgrange (pictured). It represents the largest concentration of prehistoric megalithic art in Europe. |
| Sceilg Mhichíl | | Kerry | 1996 | 757; iii, iv (cultural) | The Celtic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of a pyramidal rocky island, was probably founded in the 7th century. For 600 years, it was a centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. Due to the extreme remoteness, it has until recently discouraged visitors, thus the site is exceptionally well preserved. The very spartan conditions inside the monastery illustrate the ascetic lifestyle practised by early Irish Christians. The monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts (clocháns), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls. |

## Tentative List

In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the Tentative List. As of 2025, Ireland has three sites on its tentative list.
Tentative Sites :
| Site | Location | Year listed | UNESCO criteria | Description |
| The Royal Sites of Ireland: Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan Complex, and Tara Complex | several sites | 2010 | iii, iv, vi (cultural) | This nomination comprises properties that served as sites for major royal inauguration, ceremony, and assembly. They represent Irish provinces with the Hill of Uisneach being the place where provinces meet. Navan Fort, which is in Northern Ireland, can also be viewed as a royal site in this context. The sites have monuments ranging from the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age, to early Christian period. The Rock of Cashel is pictured. |
| The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo | Sligo | 2023 | iii, iv (cultural) | The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo can be visualised as a northern coastal group of passage tombs centred on the Carrowmore complex and the Cúil Iorra peninsula, and a southern inland group in the Bricklieve Mountains, anchored by the Carrowkeel complex, both areas containing dense concentrations of monuments. These two foci, 23 km (14 mi) apart, are geographically connected by the Unshin River, but also by an intimate and dynamic interaction between landscape, ritual and ancestral connections. |
| Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Ireland)* | Kerry | 2023 | ii, iv (cultural) | This nomination comprises the two termini of the world's first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable, which revolutionized the long-distance communication. The eastern terminus, the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station (pictured) in Ireland, was built in 1868, while the western terminus, the Heart's Content Cable Station, was finished in 1876. The sites were closed in the 1960s but still preserve a lot of intact original equipment. |