Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site

The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (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 along 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 National Trust, Moyle District Council and Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) (on 1 July 2008, EHS became Northern Ireland Environment Agency).
Following this, a Management Group was set up to oversee the implementation of this plan. This Management Group comprises representatives of the following bodies:

• Department of Environment: Northern Ireland Environment Agency
• 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.

The Management Group is currently reviewing the Management Plan with a view to publishing an updated plan in 2011.

A summary document (.PDF 211Kb) of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast WHS Management Plan can also be downloaded or a hard copy can be obtained by contacting Sandi Howie on 028 9056 9581.

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