From Gracehill to the Giant’s Causeway: Stormont launch celebrates Northern Ireland’s UNESCO treasures

Gracehill, Ballymena (Image: Gail Spiers) and the Giant’s Causeway from above (Image: Patryk Sadowski Photography)

Northern Ireland’s internationally recognised UNESCO sites – including Gracehill’s newly inscribed World Heritage Site status – were celebrated at Stormont this week as political leaders, councillors and heritage representatives gathered to launch a new video series highlighting some of the region’s most significant cultural and natural landmarks.

The event, held at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, June 23) brought together members of Northern Ireland’s UNESCO network to unveil the “Our Special Places” video series, a project designed to raise awareness of the global importance and local impact of UNESCO designations across the region.

For residents of Ballymena and beyond, the initiative shines a fresh spotlight on Gracehill, which made history in 2024 when it became part of the Moravian Church Settlements UNESCO World Heritage Site, placing the village among a select group of locations recognised for their outstanding universal value.

Five UNESCO designations showcased

The new series includes a flagship showcase film introducing all five UNESCO designations in Northern Ireland, alongside five individual short films exploring the distinctive character and significance of each location.

The designations featured are:

• Giant’s Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Belfast UNESCO City of Music

• Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark

• Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark

• Moravian Church Settlements – Gracehill UNESCO World Heritage Site

The films aim to improve public understanding of UNESCO’s presence across Northern Ireland while demonstrating how these internationally recognised places contribute to local communities, heritage protection, education, tourism and economic development.

Funded through national heritage programme

The project was funded through the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Local to Global 2.0 Community Grants Scheme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

Across the United Kingdom, six collaborative projects received grants of £10,000 through the scheme, with Northern Ireland’s UNESCO network securing funding to create the video series.

Representatives from Northern Ireland’s UNESCO designations at the Stormont launch of the Our Special Places video series with sponsor Jon Burrows MLA. Shown are Nikki MacRae (Belfast UNESCO City of Music) Grace McAlister (Giants Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site), David Johnston (Moravian Church Settlements: Gracehill UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jon Burrows MLA (sponsoring MLA), James Bridge (UK National Commission for UNESCO), Keira Brown (UK National Commission for UNESCO) Judith Hansard (Mourne Gillian Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark) and Grainne O’Connor (Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark). 

The Stormont event also provided elected representatives with an opportunity to learn more about UNESCO’s work in Northern Ireland through presentations from James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and Keira Brown, Local to Global Programme Coordinator.

Celebrating heritage with global significance

Speaking at the launch, James Bridge said the project demonstrated the power of collaboration between Northern Ireland’s UNESCO-designated locations.

“The ‘Our Special Places’ project is a wonderful celebration of Northern Ireland’s UNESCO sites, showing how they work together to celebrate and share the stories that make their communities unique and of global interest.

“Through this collaboration, Northern Ireland’s UNESCO sites created a resource that highlights its extraordinary cultural and natural heritage, while demonstrating the benefits that UNESCO recognition can bring to local people.”

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary General UK National Commission for UNESCO, at the Stormont launch of the Our Special Places video series. 

Mr Bridge said the project was particularly significant as UNESCO marks the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1945.

He added that raising awareness of these internationally important places would help inspire greater understanding, pride and engagement while showcasing Northern Ireland’s contribution to UNESCO’s global mission of protecting heritage, fostering creativity and supporting sustainable development.

Discussion on future opportunities

The discussion panel at the Stormont launch of the Our Special Places video series. Shown are Grainne O’Connor (Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark), Dr Kirstin Lemon (Geological Survey of Northern Ireland), Nikki MacRae (Belfast UNESCO City of Music), Dr David Johnston (Moravian Church Settlements: UNESCO World Heritage Site) and panel chair Professor Patrick McKeever (former Head of Earth Sciences at UNESCO).

A panel discussion during the event brought together representatives from Northern Ireland’s UNESCO sites to examine the diversity and value of the designations and explore opportunities for future UNESCO recognition across the region.

Discussions focused on how the sites help preserve heritage, support local communities, encourage sustainable tourism and strengthen Northern Ireland’s profile internationally.

Among those taking part was Gráinne O’Connor, Manager of Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.

She said:

“As a cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark spanning counties Fermanagh and Cavan, Cuilcagh Lakelands represents a unique model of collaboration, bringing communities together to celebrate and protect our shared natural and cultural heritage.

“This video series is a powerful way to showcase not only the international significance of our landscapes, but also the strong partnerships and local pride that underpin them.

“By working collectively across Northern Ireland’s UNESCO network, we can continue to strengthen awareness, inspire sustainable tourism, and ensure these special places are valued and protected for generations to come.”

Call for continued support

Organisers also used the event to call for continued support for Northern Ireland’s UNESCO network, urging policymakers, funders and local stakeholders to help safeguard and strengthen the region’s designations.

For Gracehill, the recognition continues to bring international attention to one of Mid and East Antrim’s most distinctive historic settlements, while reinforcing its importance as both a local heritage asset and a site of global significance.

The new “Our Special Places” video series is intended to help more people discover the stories behind Northern Ireland’s UNESCO locations and encourage greater appreciation of the landscapes, communities and traditions that have earned worldwide recognition.