Boyne Currach Making was given official recognition by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD at the recent launch the permanent National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.  This measure represents official State recognition of cultural practices all around Ireland and will serve to protect and promote these practices for generations to come.

The development of the National Inventory of Ireland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage is an integral part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s work under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which requires signatory States to recognise, protect and promote the living cultural heritage of their countries.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said: ‘It is wonderful to see such a variety of customs and traditions from all over the country being acknowledged here today. Each of these threads in the cultural tapestry of our lives makes us richer as individuals and as a country. None of this would be possible without the work of committed volunteers all around the country, whose involvement in their communities’ cultural practices and heritage traditions have sustained them over the generations. I am delighted to honour those customs, practices and traditions through official State recognition on the National Inventory’.

Sinéad ní Ghibne, Boyne Currach Group, who proposed the inclusion of Boyne Currach Making on the list,  said “We are delighted that the tradition of Boyne Currach making has achieved this national recognition and acknowledgment. This small wicker river craft holds so many local folklore stories, so many historical moments from our ancient Boyne Valley as well as traditional skills such as weaving, súgán making and leather tanning. This acknowledgement will help these traditions to be preserved and passed on to future generations.”

Ireland has succeeded in having uilleann piping and hurling inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and a formal application from Ireland to have harping inscribed on the UNESCO list will be considered at the end of this year.

The elements of Ireland’s cultural heritage practices included in Ireland’s National Inventory were received through an open call process and were assessed by an expert advisory committee. To ensure a comprehensive National Inventory is achieved, expressions of interest will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis: Full details are presented on a new dedicated website at https://nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/.