Birr Telescope Moves Step Closer To Becoming UNESCO Heritage Site

The Offaly Telescope is part of the historical observatories.

Birr Castle Demesne is among three Observatories in Ireland has been added to Ireland's tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites. 

The Offaly site along with the Dunsink Observatory House, Dublin  and the Planetarium and Observatory, Armagh are being acknowledged for their role in astronomical discoveries. 

The midlands telescope, which is named the Great Leviathan of Parsonstown, was constructed in 1845, and was the largest in the world for 75 years. 

The family of the third earl of Ross are delighted with today's announcement.  

Alicia Clements, who is his Great Great Grand Daughter and Manager of the Birr Estate, says they have been hoping and fighting for world recognition for his telescope since the 1980s.

She says the family are thrilled the historical importance of the telescope is being celebrated: 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Tentative List is made up of the most important cultural heritage sites that demonstrate potential ‘Outstanding Universal Value’.

The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland becomes the fourth entry on Ireland’s Tentative List. The other three are: The Neolithic Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; The Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Kerry and Canada) the Royal Sites of Ireland, which includes Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath, Dún Ailinne, County Kildare, Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary; Rathcroghan County Roscommon and Tara County Meath.

These sites were added to Ireland’s Tentative List in 2022 and progress has been made to establish the necessary structures and framework to progress nomination, including the appointment of co-ordinators embedded within the relevant Local Authorities.

Prof. Peter Gallagher (Birr & Dunsink) said “Birr’s telescope was once the largest in the world. These sites remain vital for science, education, and inspiration.”

Speaking about the addition to the Tentative List, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: “Increasing the number of UNESCO World Heritage Properties is a heritage commitment in our Programme for Government. This addition of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland to the Tentative List is the first formal step on an exciting journey towards World Heritage inscription for three remarkable observatories. These places of trailblazing scientific endeavour epitomise historical collaboration across the island. They showcase our remarkable heritage on the global stage, and the journey of this project in the years will strengthen North-South cooperation greatly with shared benefits for these places and their communities.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan explained: “I am delighted to mark World Heritage Day, the international Day for Monuments and Sites with this significant development. Ireland’s Tentative List is continually evolving to enable further sites to be identified. World Heritage inscription carries great global significance and can bring positive benefits for heritage and tourism promotion, community engagement and stewardship. Thanks to the National Monuments Service and its World Heritage expert panel in supporting the Observatories and the Local Authorities to reach this stage. We look forward to working with all stakeholders in the years ahead.”

Speaking about the new Tentative List, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Longford Westmeath TD said: “This is an important achievement for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. It is a very positive showcase of cross border co-operation between the relevant authorities on the island of Ireland. The OPW looks forward to supporting the bid in the future as it progresses for submission to UNESCO for inscription as a World Heritage Property. The National Monuments Service and OPW will now focus on supporting the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland to develop their nomination bid for submission to the World Heritage Centre in Paris in partnership with Northern Ireland and relevant UK World Heritage authorities. Once submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland will be formally added to Ireland’s Tentative List.

The nomination process is complex, taking up to six years from Tentative List to inscription. For larger sites and sites involving international partners the process may require a longer period. Sites must be on the Tentative List for a year before being considered.

Ireland expects to submit its first Preliminary Assessment Request for one of the Tentative List sites to the World Heritage Centre in September 2025. 12 months later feedback from the World Heritage Centre will advise on how to continue developing the nomination.

As a country may only make one request annually this requires coordination of the different sites and ongoing evaluations of their progress to determine which is in the best position to progress each year.

UNESCO recommends reviews of Tentative Lists at least every ten years. Sites can be added, removed, or updated at any time. Ireland’s approach in relation to proposed “transnational” or “transboundary” sites is that they may be added to the Tentative List outside of revision periods because of the additional complexities and cooperation involved. Inclusion on the Tentative List does not guarantee inclusion in the World Heritage List. Exclusion from the list in no way devalues the heritage significance of a site, rather it means that the site does not meet specific World Heritage standards.