Earlier this week Martin Cullen, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, announced the intention to acquire World Heritage Site status for the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise in Co Offaly. Such status is neither an honour nor an award; it is sought by formal application on the part of those involved in the preservation of a site or monument.Recognition as a World Heritage Site does not involve any monetary benefit or grant, but it does tend to attract tourists and to stimulate domestic political interest, particularly in the form of increased funding. In short, it is a useful card to play.
