Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ferris, who represents the Wicklow constituency, will strongly support my remarks. During the Dark Ages, Ireland was a beacon of light in the context of learning, scholarship and civilisation when it was lacking in most other parts of Europe. During that time, Saint Kevin founded a monastery in Glendalough. I strongly urge the visiting delegation to visit the site, which is approximately 40 km south of Dublin. They will not see anything like it anywhere else in the world. Glendalough is home to the remains of an ancient Celtic Christian monastery and it is a unique site. The island of Ireland only has three world heritage sites: Skellig Michael, Brú na Bóinne and Giant's Causeway. Although Skellig Michael is an example of a Celtic monastery, it is quite different from Glendalough and it is partly because of this that Glendalough deserves this recognition. The site was in its time one of the most important centres in Ireland both as a religious site and as a place of learning, trade, commerce and scholarship.

I have been visiting the site for as long as I can remember but it was not until I travelled abroad that I realised what a unique place it is. Its uniqueness is enhanced by its natural beauty. Other major monasteries such as Clonmacnoise do not equate to Glendalough in the context of natural beauty. While I am prepared to accept that Wicklow is the garden of Ireland, Glendalough is the jewel of the county and it is one of the jewels of the State. To be inscribed on the world heritage site list, Glendalough must meet at least one of ten criteria that the World Heritage Council uses in determining such matters. I am firmly of the belief that the site fulfils at least three of them comfortably. It is an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation, therefore, fulfilling the third criterion. It is also an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble, which illustrates a significant stage in human history, therefore, fulfilling the fourth criterion. It also directly related with events or living traditions, with beliefs and with artistic or literary works which are of outstanding universal significance, which fulfils the sixth criterion.

I ask the Minister for this reason to do all in his power to present the case to UNESCO for Glendalough to be made a world heritage site. It would be a more outstanding site than many others abroad and it deserves such recognition.

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