After many years of effort the small Moravian village of Grachill in Co Antrim, has been designated as a World Heritage Site at the 46th World Heritage Committee of UNESCO held in New Delhi, India.
This is Northern Ireland’s first Cultural designation the only other World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland being the Giants Causeway which is a natural site.
Gracehill, the only complete Moravian Settlement in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s first designated Conservation Area is part of a Transnational Designation. This means there is one listing but several sites in different countries.
The Designation is entitled “Moravian Church Settlements” and includes Bethlehem, (Pennsylvania, USA), Herrnhut (Germany) and the already inscribed Christiansfeld (Denmark) in addition to Gracehill (NI/UK).
Gracehill Settlement is an early example of town planning reflecting the timeless values of education, equality, industry, tolerance, and spirituality that have been at the heart of this community since 1759. Its intact core of historic listed buildings, Moravian Church, central Square, and burial ground or God’s Acre as it is known, featured in the nomination.
Each of the Settlements nominated demonstrate different phases in the development of Moravian planning. Gracehill stands out as having been constructed in a grid plan with a central square and a very clear and complete ‘gender axis’.
Since its foundation Gracehill was well known for its international links which continue today.
Gracehill is historically renowned for its principles of religious and political tolerance, neutrality, and reconciliation, first manifested significantly during the ‘United Irishmen’s Rebellion’ of 1798 when Gracehill was seen as a place of refuge for all.
The Gracehill community have been working with international partners since 2003 to achieve World Heritage recognition. In 2015 the Settlement of Christiansfeld, Denmark achieved inscription on the UNESCO List and Gracehill continued to work with Bethlehem (USA) and Herrnhut (Germany) as part of a transnational nomination for extension of the Danish listing. This was led by Bethlehem in Pennsylvania with the support of the US Government.
Speaking following the announcement:
Bishop Sarah Groves, Gracehill Moravian Church, said she was “thrilled that the significance of the Moravian Church internationally and its culture, history and heritage have been recognised by the World Heritage Committee.
“For Gracehill it shows that what we have in terms of our history, buildings, layout and archives and, also in our living culture and faith is of local, regional and international importance. World Heritage status gives Gracehill the protection it deserves and will enable us to develop our research and international links further.”
Dr David Johnston, Chair of Gracehill Trust, responded saying:
“The prize of a cultural World Heritage listing is a huge good news story for Northern Ireland as a whole, something that everyone can share in and be proud of, with the potential to promote understanding and reconciliation and bring social, economic and cultural benefits right across the region now and for generations to come.
“We are fortunate and thankful to have had the enthusiastic support of the whole community, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport as well as the wholehearted and unstinting backing of our international partners.”
Alderman Beth Adger MBE, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, commented:
“This is absolutely wonderful news and a historic time for Gracehill, Mid and East Antrim, and indeed all of Northern Ireland.
“This landmark World Heritage Status for the only complete Moravian Settlement in Ireland will bring tremendous benefits to Mid and East Antrim by considerably raising the global profile of the Borough, supporting the local economy and positively impacting on education, quality of life and civic pride.
“I am delighted it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining a list of some of the world’s most iconic sites, such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and the Pyramids. Well done to everyone involved in bringing this forward. What an achievement!”
“A first cultural World Heritage site for Northern Ireland is an unparalleled achievement in terms of the opportunities for domestic and international tourism. I know how tirelessly everyone involved in this bid has worked to bring it to this stage and I thank them for their dedication and commitment.”
Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland Communities Minister welcomed the announcement, commenting:
“I am delighted that the cultural importance of Gracehill to the world has been recognised through the UNESCO designation. In recent years, my department has worked with the Gracehill community to maintain the village and develop their World Heritage bid. We have supported listed building repairs and provided advice and, since the US formally decided to proceed in 2021, we have contributed to the nomination costs.
“Gracehill is a special place with an active community and this recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement, helping to remind us all that Northern Ireland has a fascinating heritage that is well worth exploring.”
Sir Chris Bryant, UK Government Culture Minister said:
“Gracehill has been rightly cherished by the local community since its foundation in 1759 as a town built around the central values of equality and tolerance and I am glad to see it gain the recognition that it deserves.
“I look forward to working together with the international community and my counterparts in Northern Ireland to celebrate the Gracehill site and ensure the Moravian traditions live on to be passed onto future generations.”
Professor Mike Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Culture at the United
National Commission for UNESCO added:
“We are delighted that the Moravian Church Settlements, including Gracehill in Northern Ireland, Herrnhut in Germany, and Bethlehem in the United States of America, have been inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of their Outstanding Universal Value.
“Along with Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement (Denmark) that was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2015, the inscription not only represents the international reach of the Moravian community, but also highlights the opportunities, where appropriate, for World Heritage transnational-serial nominations to bring communities together through their shared histories.”
TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister and MLA Timothy Gaston have welcomed today’s announcement that Gracehill is to be granted world heritage status.
Jim Allister said:
“This is a deserved accolade for historic Gracehill, a village founded as the only complete Moravian settlement in Ireland over 260 years ago. I commend the local community for the work they have put in to maintain both the historic character of the village and highlight its unique importance to a wider, and now global, community. I hope that this recognition will cause more people to explore the remarkable heritage on their doorstep as well as providing yet another reason for visitors to come to North Antrim.”
Local MLA Timothy Gaston added:
“This is a red letter day for everyone in Gracehill but I want to particularly pay tribute to the Gracehill Trust for the hard work and energy the team of volunteers have dedicated to this bid over over many years and in particular David Johnston for leading on the project.
“When on council I remarked on a number of occasions that Gracehill is the jewel in the crown of Bannside and this has now been recognised on a global scale.”
Local TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald said:
“This is a huge opportunity to drive tourism to Gracehill and it’s important Council continue to work with the group and local residents to ensure Gracehill and the surrounding area can all benefit. I was very honoured to host representatives from Unesco when they were over earlier this year as deputy mayor and am delighted that this is the outcome of all the community's hard work."
Paul Frew DUP MLA for North Antrim has also congratulated the Village of Gracehill and welcomed the acknowledgment from UNESCO that Gracehill is worthy of this global recognition.
Frew stated:
“The want to, first congratulate the Village of Gracehill and all the residents and volunteers who over the years worked so hard for the betterment of their community, environment, and heritage. This is mighty acknowledgment of the special place Gracehill is and its significance to the world in both cultural and religious heritage.
“Secondly to the UNESCO committees for the acknowledgment, this award places Gracehill in a much higher level on the world stage and the opportunities and benefits will spin off not just for the small village but the wider North Antrim and Northern Ireland level.”