New cross-border UNESCO Network to connect heritage sites across Ireland
Friday 12 June 2026
Gracehill World Heritage Site has an exciting new cross-border initiative, UNESCO Together, funded through the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme. The project will connect 14 UNESCO-designated sites across the island of Ireland, strengthening community links and promoting shared heritage.
Over the next two years, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will work alongside key stakeholders, including the Gracehill Trust, the Moravian Church, local primary schools and village residents, to build meaningful connections with other UNESCO sites and expand educational opportunities.
The initiative will foster partnerships focused on peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth engagement, and cultural exchange bringing together all 14 UNESCO-designated sites. Gracehill, recently inscribed as part of the Moravian Church Settlements World Heritage Site, has a long tradition of welcoming people from all backgrounds. This legacy aligns closely with the project’s emphasis on cooperation inclusion and community cohesion.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon said: “As Mayor, I am proud to support this World Heritage grant initiative, which will benefit the Gracehill World Heritage Site. This new project celebrates our shared history while actively strengthening cross-border community connections, bringing people together in a spirit of understanding and respect.
“The engagement with Gracehill Primary School as part of the UNESCO Together initiative is particularly important as it invests in a more inclusive, cooperative, and sustainable future for all. Fourteen UNESCO-designated from both sides of the border will come together, demonstrating that peace-building is at the heart of the programme.”
Led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, in partnership with Cavan County Council and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, the initiative, which has secured 93000 Euro in funding. The project will develop an all-island roadmap for future collaboration, including exploring opportunities such as a UNESCO tourism trail that highlights heritage sites as drivers of sustainable tourism and education.
David Johnston, Chairperson of the Gracehill Trust, said the initiative offers: “A unique opportunity to deepen understanding of our shared natural and cultural heritage while promoting community cohesion, sustainable tourism and learning across generations.”
More than 650 people are expected to participate in cross-border activities, including workshops, community events, and online exchanges. The project is also anticipated to attract new visitors to Gracehill and the wider Ballymena area, supporting local tourism and community development.