Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site

The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The site is of outstanding universal value and meets two of the criteria set out in the World Heritage Convention, namely it:

• is an outstanding example representing major stages of the earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features.
  
• contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.

The Site occupies approximately 70ha of land and encompasses a further 160ha of sea and lies on the North Antrim Coast within an area of a spectacular dynamic coastal landscape of Atlantic waves, rugged cliffs, unparalleled geological formations, secluded bays and magnificent views.

A Management Plan was prepared by Chris Blandford Associates in discussion with and on behalf of Environment & Heritage Service, National Trust and Moyle District Council.  Following this, a Management Group was set up to oversee the implimentation of this plan.  This Management Group comprises representatives of the following bodies:

• Department of the Environment: Environment &Heritage Service
• National Trust
• Moyle District Council
• Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
• Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust
• Northern Ireland Tourist Board
• Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
• Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
• Causeway Coast and Glens Ltd

The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast WHS Management Plan (PDF 4.38MB) was submitted to UNESCO in January 2005.

A summary document (211KB) of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast WHS Management Plan has also been produced for downloading or a hard copy can be obtained by contacting Ruth Blair on 028 9056 9578.

The Management Group has also progressed the Action Plan (PDF 81KB) associated with the Management Plan.  This Action Plan gives details of progress up to March 2007 and projects planned for the coming year.  If you have comments on the Action Plan please e-mail ruth.blair@doeni.gov.uk

Further information on World Heritage Sites can be found on whc.unesco.org/en