Limerick seeks Unesco World Heritage Site status for historic city centre

Expert group to assess nomination centred on Newtown Pery, King’s Island, the port and quays

Limerick council explores UNESCO World Heritage nomination for Georgian city. Picture: Dan Linehan

Limerick City and County Council is seeking to secure Unesco World Heritage Site status for the city.

The local authority has established an Expert Working Group to explore a potential nomination and recognise Limerick’s “special heritage value and significance” as a planned Enlightenment city with strong international trading links and influence.

The proposed site would include the planned Georgian city of Newtown Pery, the Port, the Canal and the quays, as well as the walled town area of King’s Island.

To assess the potential nomination, the council is inviting tenders.

In 2017, Limerick was awarded the Unesco Learning City Award, which recognises cities that have achieved exceptional progress in promoting lifelong learning. The Treaty City was one of 16 cities worldwide to receive the award that year.

Limerick also became the first city in Ireland to achieve the international Global Active City designation in 2025, which aligns with Unesco and World Health Organization standards for promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Established by the council, the expert working group includes local authority staff, local interest groups, historians, archaeologists and elected representatives.

According to the council, membership of the group could expand as “gaps are identified”.

Limerick City and County Council was contacted for comment.

The deadline for the tender process is July 15 at noon.

Currently, no cities in Ireland hold Unesco World Heritage Site status, although several locations are included on tentative lists for possible future nominations.

Sites including Skellig Michael, the Giant’s Causeway and the passage tomb at Newgrange are designated Unesco World Heritage Sites.

Several Irish cities have received Unesco recognition in other categories, including Galway as a Unesco City of Film and Dublin as a Unesco City of Literature.