World Heritage UK delegates visit Gracehill UNESCO World Heritage Site

Heritage professionals from across the UK have visited the Gracehill UNESCO World Heritage Site near Ballymena following the 2026 World Heritage UK Conference in Portrush. The visit showcased Gracehill’s historic Moravian buildings, village square and God’s Acre, while highlighting ongoing work to protect the internationally important site.

The visit followed the 2026 World Heritage UK Annual Conference, held in Portrush on 5 and 6 October. The conference brought together heritage professionals and representatives from World Heritage communities across the UK, Ireland and Europe. events200826230.live-website.com

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council represented Gracehill during the conference before welcoming delegates to the historic Moravian village on the final day.

Delegates welcomed to Gracehill

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, hosted the visit and welcomed delegates to the village.

The tour provided an opportunity to showcase Gracehill’s historic central square, listed buildings, Moravian Church and the distinctive burial ground known as God’s Acre.

The Mayor said the visit provided an opportunity to show heritage professionals what makes the village special.

“The visit by delegates gave us an opportunity to showcase the charming village of Gracehill, its central square and historic listed buildings, including the Moravian church and its peaceful burial ground known as God’s Acre.”

He added that the visit also recognised the work of the local community in securing World Heritage recognition and highlighted the connections between UNESCO sites around the world.

Why is Gracehill a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Gracehill officially became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 26 July 2024.

Rather than standing alone, Gracehill forms part of the transnational Moravian Church Settlements World Heritage Site alongside Christiansfeld in Denmark, Herrnhut in Germany and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania in the United States. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

View Gracehill on the UNESCO World Heritage website

The village was established in 1759 and developed around a planned grid layout centred on an open village square.

UNESCO describes Gracehill as the best-preserved Moravian Church settlement on the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Its architecture and layout demonstrate the distinctive planning principles used by Moravian communities during the 18th and early 19th centuries. UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Gracehill is also Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, following the designation of the Giant’s Causeway in 1986. GOV.UK

Learn more about Gracehill and its World Heritage status

World Heritage UK Conference held in Portrush

The World Heritage UK Annual Conference took place at Portrush Town Hall on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 October.

The 2026 conference explored the theme “Connections through World Heritage”, with speakers and delegates examining how World Heritage communities can collaborate, share knowledge and address common challenges.

Speakers included Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust; Michael MacDonagh from Ireland’s National Monuments Service; and Kaspar Schürch, Director of World Heritage Experience Switzerland.

Gracehill itself featured in the programme, with Dr David Johnston joining Steen H. Jensen from Christiansfeld for a session on the Moravian Church Settlements.

Delegates were then scheduled to travel to Gracehill for an afternoon site visit on 6 October. events200826230.live-website.com

Protecting Gracehill for future generations

The visit also highlighted the importance of the long-term conservation and sustainable management of the Gracehill UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO’s management requirements place an emphasis on protecting historic fabric, maintaining important buildings and ensuring developments do not damage the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Gracehill remains a living community rather than simply a preserved historic site. An active Moravian congregation continues traditions associated with the settlement today.

Its UNESCO designation recognises not only individual historic buildings but also the relationship between the buildings, central square, cemetery, landscape and the wider traditions of the Moravian community.

Visit the official Gracehill village website

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