Sceilg Mhichíl withstands the storms of climate change, but continued risk assessment and collaboration needed to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Property

Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report developed under National Geographic Preserving Legacies Project shows positive impact of State’s efforts to protect the site

Report identifies further steps to protect the site from the impacts of climate change

Climate change is the fastest growing global threat to heritage sites, many of which – natural, cultural, and mixed – are already being affected. This is the subject of a new Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) report on one of Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Properties, Sceilg Mhichíl, published today. It outlines several potential future risks

posed by a changing climate, along with outline adaptation measures to safeguard the natural and built heritage of the site. The assessment and report was developed by the National Monuments Service and the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with National Geographic Society’s Preserving Legacies Project.

The assessment, undertaken throughout 2023/2024, involved contributions from both technical experts and the local community, through desk research, site visits and stakeholder workshops. It uses the best available data on climate change indicators around precipitation, wind and temperature change to understand the possible future risks to Sceilg Mhichíl in light of climate change. Such risks might include damage to monastic structures arising from extreme weather, erosion of built heritage and the island’s landscape, impacts on breeding birds due to higher ocean temperatures, and vegetation die-back leading to soil erosion. ​ It is important to note that the report indicates that management measures to address the impacts of climate change – in particular those around rock fall – have so far helped to reduce risks and to improve ongoing access and conservation needs.

The report was launched locally in Valentia this evening, reflecting the importance of local community input into the continued protection of Sceilg Mhichíl.

Minister of State for Heritage, Nature and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said:

“We were honoured to have Sceilg Mhichíl included in the National Geographic Preserving Legacies project, addressing climate change impacts at some of the most iconic World Heritage Properties globally. The monastic settlement of Sceilg Mhichíl is a treasured part of our heritage and represents a significant and well-preserved icon of our history. Sceilg Mhichíl provides such an important essence and sense of place for the local community and our National Monuments Service will continue to ensure the protection and preservation of our World Heritage Property.

The report published today shows that State interventions have helped to protect the site which is so exposed to the weather conditions of the Atlantic. However, we cannot be complacent and we will use the findings of this report, working with the community, to ensure the continued protection of this World Heritage Property and National Monument.”

Some of the learnings and adaptation measures included in the report, in consultation with the local community, are:

Community access and engagement: Increased local involvement to maintain and bolster economic, social and cultural values related to the site, especially for younger generations.

Diversification of tourism offering: Development of a range of other tourism offerings and new markets.

Visitor management: Education on wildlife and heritage conservation issues for visitors to create behaviour change and continued access for all stakeholders.

Climate action: Use Sceilg Mhichíl and the Sceilg Coast as a model for the wider area on climate change, using the site as an educational tool on climate change impacts and adaptations.

Research and supports: Three potential projects identified to support decision-making:

· The improvement and protection of biodiversity using bioindicator monitoring.

· The recording of oral histories from the older community in the event of loss.

· Drawing from exemplars of sustainable tourism.

The report also recommends ongoing stakeholder discussions on capacity building, adaptation measures and resilience.

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD continued:

“The OPW will continue to manage and conserve the island’s heritage as custodians of this site. This report provides valuable insight and practical measures to safeguard Sceilg Mhichíl in the face of climate change. We will continue to work closely with the local community to sensitively manage access to the site while keeping the need to protect it in balance at all times."

Sceilg Mhichíl was one of ten World Heritage Properties selected to be part of the first National Geographic-funded ‘Preserving Legacies’ Project, along with other iconic heritage sites such as Petra in Jordan, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, and Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia.