You’re flying into Shannon or Dublin for your Ireland vacation and see green fields as far as the eye can see, separated by dark hedges and stone walls that transform the landscape into a quilted surface. Across Ireland, many fields and swathes of land are shaped by these dry stone walls, an ancient method of construction. Now, these fascinating structures have been added to the UNESCO list of protected cultural heritage practices. This marks the fifth Irish cultural practice added to the list, following uilleann piping, hurling, Irish falconry and Irish harping.

Mourne Wall © Tourism Ireland

Some dry stone walls across the country date back thousands of years, standing the test of time. Some walls offer a glimpse into long-standing farming traditions as far back as the Neolithic Period about 5,000 years ago.

With many of these walls existing, where can you find some standout structures? Well, Ireland’s two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Brú na Bóinne in County Meath and Sceilg Mihichíl in County Kerry, are both dry stone construction.

The longest continuous length of dry stone wall in Ireland can be found at Mourne Wall in County Down. Spanning more than 21 miles, this wall passes over 15 summits within the Mourne Mountain range, including Slieve Donard. This wall was made entirely from local granite and took years to complete, beginning in 1904. Experience the tradition of dry stone wall building firsthand at Mourne Stone Walling, where Jenny and Mark Hannah bring guests on a woodland walk across the landscape before Mark brings the story of this craft to life. Mark has already restored nearly 250 feet of dry stone walls using granite.

© Tourism Ireland

During this unique experience, guests can learn to measure and gauge stones while learning Gaelic, gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and beauty of these structures. After the tour, guests can enjoy a picnic of tea and cake while admiring their work. Wrap up the day with a cozy stay in one of the nearby Green Holiday Cottages.