Survey on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Ireland
Invitation to Participate
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media would like to invite you to participate in a survey on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Ireland. The objective of the survey is to obtain a clear picture of the important work undertaken by Ireland’s ICH practitioners and other key stakeholders in the field of ICH.
Under the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, State Parties are required to submit periodic reports to UNESCO, which outline the work undertaken to raise awareness of and safeguard the Intangible Cultural Heritage in their Country. The responses received from this survey will feed into Ireland’s official response to UNESCO and will also inform the development and direction of Department policy in respect of ICH over the coming 2-3 years in line with the Vision, Mission and Principles set out for ICH in Ireland, which can be viewed at https://nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/about/
About the Survey
The survey is comprised of 18 questions covering the key areas of intangible cultural heritage practice and safeguarding, including institutional and human capacity, transmission and education, inventorying and research, policies, safeguarding, awareness raising and community engagement.
Questions are set out under each area with requests to provide further information where applicable. Responses to each question should be no more than 200 words.
UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
In December 2015 Ireland ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) refers to the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities and groups recognise as part of their cultural heritage. It is passed from generation to generation and is recognised under one or more of the following categories:
- Oral traditions and expressions;
- Performing arts;
- Social practices, rituals and festive events;
- Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and
- Traditional craftsmanship.
The objectives of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are as follows:
- to safeguard the ICH;
- to ensure respect for the ICH of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;
- to raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and of ensuring mutual appreciation thereof; and
- to provide for international cooperation and assistance.
Ireland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage was officially launched in July of 2019 and gives official State recognition to and promotes Ireland’s remarkable living heritage, thus acknowledging its importance and supporting its continuation for further generations. Applications to the National Inventory are accepted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on an on-going basis.
Ireland has also been successful in having the following three elements of our ICH inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Uilleann Piping, Hurling and Irish Harping.
Acknowledgement
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media would like to thank you for taking the time to respond to this survey. Your input is important to us and will help communicate the important work being undertaken and contribute to identifying priority areas in the coming years.
Submission of Survey Response
Please submit your completed survey by the deadline of Friday 3rd December 2021.