Ireland should fully embrace European label initiative

Posted by Bronwen Maher on March 10, 2010 at 12:09 PM

The new EU-wide European Heritage Label initiative launched today by the European Commission should be fully embraced by the government in order to build on Ireland’s potential as a significant cultural tourism destination, Labour MEP Nessa Childers said.

She said: “I am disappointed that Ireland had not been involved in the initial stages of the project given the stated importance of niche cultural tourism to the Irish economy which has been trumpeted at both the celebrated Global Irish Forum in Farmleigh and in the government’s own Building Ireland’s Smart Economy strategy.

“A well resourced strategy and an enhanced and internationally promoted cultural tourism product has the potential to create tens of thousands of sustainable jobs even in this time of deep recession. Cultural tourism has been achieving average annual growth rates of 15%. That is three times the overall growth rate for the tourism sector.

“50% of Ireland’s overseas holidaymakers are considered to be in the sightseer/cultural tourist bracket and research also shows that cultural tourists are likely to spend considerable sums of money on a holiday. The government must use every opportunity available to further enhance this country’s ability to attract cultural tourists. The EU Heritage Label initiative is one such opportunity that should be grasped with both hands.

“The scheme has already designated 64 sites for the European Heritage Label including the Gdansk shipyards which saw the birth of the Solidarity trade union and the Acropolis in Athens.

“Qualifying sites must celebrate and symbolise European integration, ideals and history. Sites such as the ancient monastic sites and the seats of learning at Glendalough, Durrow, Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise immediately spring to mind in terms of the history of Irish monks as celebrated European educators.

“Noted Professor of Archaeology Dr. Peter Harbison, recently stated that the collection of crosses at Monasterboice, including the famous Muiredach’s Cross standing at 17 feet tall “could probably be regarded as Ireland’s greatest contribution to European sculpture.”

“This suite of sites will go forward to be considered by government for the new UNESCO World Heritage Site list. I would urge the government to seriously consider putting these sites forward for consideration for EU Heritage Label designation as well.”

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