Sceilg Mhichíl is one of ten World Heritage Properties selected to take part in the international ICOMOS-National Geographic Preserving Legacies: A Future for our Past project, and is the only European site selected. Other sites include Petra in Jordan, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia. The National Monuments Service (NMS) in partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW) represent Ireland on the project.

Fundamental to the Preserving Legacies project is engagement and collaboration to inform communities on the implications of climate change on the World Heritage sites, and to enable them to safeguard their cultural and natural heritage against future impacts. The Outstanding Universal Value of Sceilg Mhichíl transcends boundaries but at its heart are the communities who live with Sceilg on their doorstep.

Over the coming weeks, there will be two public meetings in Portmagee, organised by the NMS and OPW to discuss the roles of the State bodies responsible for the management and protection of Sceilg Mhichíl and to encourage community participation in discussions on climate change and the World Heritage site.

Connie Kelleher, Senior Archaeologist with NMS explained, “The idea is to equip communities with the tools to safeguard heritage against the impact of climate change. By anticipating and assessing the effects of climate, we hope to help and turn scientific knowledge into action to protect sites.”

“Community participation in the workshop is important to harness local knowledge of Sceilg Mhichíl, with particular interest in how community members perceive current and future impacts from climate change on the island. This will help to map out the priorities and inform measures that can be made to protect its future.”

“Anticipating and assessing the effects of climate can inform adaptation measures that will help protect Sceilg Mhichíl’s unique heritage into the future while working together to ensure locals and visitors alike can continue to experience the wonder of this exceptional site.”

People can read more about the international conservation project here.