Atlantic CultureScape Intangible Cultural Heritage Project

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is the lead partner on the Atlantic CultureScape project. This is a new €2 million project awarded funding by the EU Interreg Atlantic Area Programme. Partners from across the Atlantic Area aim to collectively develop intangible cultural heritage experiences that will boost the tourism offer across the Atlantic Area.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will be collaborating on the three-year project with six Atlantic Area partners; Brecon Beacons National Park Authority in Wales, Rio Maior Municipality in Portugal, Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland, the University of Vigo; Regional Government for Cantabria and the Andalusian Agency of Cultural Institutions in Spain. There are also eleven associate partners involved, including Ring of Gullion Handcrafts and Art and the Fiddler’s Green Festival

The ‘intangible’ element of cultural heritage has received relatively little attention in the Atlantic Area in recent years. This project sets out to address this imbalance by identifying and enhancing enjoyment of authentic cultural experiences, leading to increased visits. Initially, a study of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) across the Atlantic Area will be carried out, in order to provide guiding principles. The project will focus on the protection and evolution of ICH as well as its development. The creation of innovative ICH products, an ICH Atlantic Area Route and a transnational marketing programme, will result in enhanced recognition and higher visibility for intangible cultural heritage in the Atlantic Area.