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A view of the Grand Canyon in Colarado, US

Trump pulls US out of 'woke' UNESCO for second time

US President Donald Trump has decided to pull the country out of the "woke" and "divisive" UN culture and education agency UNESCO, the White House said.

US • 22 Jul

A traditional dry stone wall in landscape fields in The Burren, Co Clare

'Hugely Irish' dry stone wall construction on UNESCO list

The practice of dry stone wall construction in Ireland has been added to UNESCO's list of protected cultural heritages around the world.

Ireland • 06 Dec 24

A Russian missile struck the historic Holy Transfiguration Cathedral on 23 July 2023 in central Odesa, Ukraine

Ukraine's Kyiv, Lviv listed by UNESCO as 'in danger'

The UN's cultural organisation has placed World Heritage Sites in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv on its "in danger" list, saying they are at risk from the war sparked by Russia's invasion.

Ukraine • 15 Sep 23

Venice has been in UNESCO's sights because of risk stemming from mass tourism and rising water levels

UNESCO not declaring Venice heritage 'in danger'

The UN's cultural organisation has said that it had stopped short of placing Venice, one of the world's top tourist destinations, on its world heritage in danger list.

World • 14 Sep 23

Tourists at the Pyramids of Giza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

US rejoins UNESCO, reversing Trump withdrawal

The United States has rejoined UNESCO, which it had quit during the Trump administration, despite opposition from Russia and China.

US • 30 Jun 23

UNESCO was founded to protect humanity's common cultural inheritance (Pic: Temple of Hibis, Egypt)

UNESCO members set to give green light to US return

UNESCO member states are expected to back the return of the US to the organisation almost five years after then-president Donald Trump withdrew over accusations of anti-Israel bias and mismanagement.

World • 29 Jun 23

The cable stations on Valentia Island, Co Kerry

Three Irish sites closer to World Heritage status

The neolithic passage tomb landscape of Co Sligo, the Transatlantic Cable in Valentia, Co Kerry, and royal sites of Ireland, like the Rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary, have moved one step closer to being considered UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Ireland • 21 Jul 22

The tourist attraction draws about 5 million people each year and supports nearly 70,000 jobs

UNESCO keeps Great Barrier Reef off 'in danger' list

The Great Barrier Reef will not be added to a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger" after a UN panel agreed to defer a vote until 2022 amid intensive lobbying by Australia.

World • 23 Jul 21

Liverpool was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004

UNESCO removes Liverpool from world heritage list

Liverpool has been removed from UNESCO's World Heritage List after a committee found developments including the new Everton FC stadium threatened the value of the city's waterfront.

UK • 21 Jul 21

Australia has lobbied furiously for years to stay off the endangered list

UN recommends Great Barrier Reef listed as 'in danger'

The Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of "in danger" World Heritage Sites, a UN committee said, drawing an angry response from Australia which said the recommendation was politically motivated.

World • 22 Jun 21

The new designation follows a campaign supported by musicians and members of the public alike

UNESCO recognises cultural importance of Irish harp

The Irish harp has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognition of the instrument's unique place in Irish music and cultural life.

Ireland • 13 Dec 19

Hurling is an example of intangible cultural heritage, said UNESCO

UNESCO recognition for hurling and camogie

Hurling and camogie have been added to UNESCO's list of protected cultural activities around the world.

Sport • 29 Nov 18

President Higgins said the recognition of uilleann piping in Irish culture is an honour

UNESCO recognition for Irish uilleann pipes

Irish uileann pipes have been recognised as an important and unique cultural heritage symbol by UNESCO.

Ireland • 07 Dec 17

'Music on the Great Blasket Island' watercolour picture in 1933 (Pic: Irish Folklore Commission Collection)

Irish folklore archive inscribed into UNESCO register

Audio and film footage from the 1940s of renowned storytellers like Peig Sayers, as well as performances of Irish folk drama such as 'Wren Boys' and 'Mummers', have been added to a global database of culturally important archives.

Ireland • 06 Dec 17

The United Nations Scientific Cultural and Educational Organisation is based in Paris

US and Israel to withdraw from UNESCO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was preparing to pull out of UNESCO, the UN's cultural and educational agency, hours after the United States made a similar announcement.

News • 12 Oct 17

200 men were permitted to land on the island in the Sea of Japan this year

Japan's men-only island gets UNESCO nod

A men-only island in Japan where women are banned and male visitors must bathe naked in the sea before visiting its shrine has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

News • 10 Jul 17

The designation originally covered Bull Island, but has been expanded to cover 300 sq kilometres of sea

Dublin Bay gets UNESCO biosphere designation

Dublin Bay has been awarded a UNESCO biosphere designation.

News • 24 Jun 15

David Cameron vowed to put the militants out of action

Cameron vows to tackle Islamic State militants

British Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to find those who commit "appalling and heinous crimes" and "put them out of action".

News • 27 Feb 15

There were claims the wreck was of the Santa Maria, one of three ships Columbus led on his first Atlantic crossing

UN says wreck found off Haiti not Columbus' ship

UN experts have concluded that a wreck off Haiti is not Christopher Columbus' flagship from his first voyage to the Americas, UNESCO said this morning.

News • 06 Oct 14