Bid for Unesco recognition of Cork harbour sites

Forts and Martello towers dotted around Cork Harbour and what was once the biggest gunpowder factory in the British empire could soon be designated as Unesco World Heritage sites.

The Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht will be asked to back a bid to have a number of these sites added to the prestigious Unesco list.

Cork county councillors are expected to unanimously endorse a motion from Independent councillor Marcia D’Alton for theirofficials to prepare a submission for inclusion on the list when they meet to debate the issue in a fortnight.