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'It's special because it's kept its authenticity'

The Moravian Church building
Sign saying Gracehill Moravian Church. The Square. Please respect the beauty and tranquillity of this historic area
The Moravian Church building

Gracehill Village is "special" because of its "authenticity", that's according to local Julie Barr.

The picturesque village in County Antrim has just been made a Unesco World Hertiage Site.

The village was founded 264 years ago and is home to the only complete Moravian settlement in Ireland.

The Moravian Church is one of the oldest Protestant denominations in Christianity.

What is it?

Janet is wearing a blue top and standing in front of the church
"It's been a bit of a roller coaster" to get here," says tour guide Janet

"A settlement was a community which was completely owned by the church", says Janet Wray.

Janet has been a volunteer tour guide in the village for 13 years.

"The church owned everything in the settlement and all the inhabitants in the settlement belonged to the church," she explains.

"The church is the centre of the village physically and it was also the centre of people's lives.

"They worked here, they lived here, they worshipped here, and they were educated here.

"I'm just delighted.

"It's been a bit of a roller coaster to get here, but it is a great day for Gracehill, she said.

Bill is wearing a white t-shirt and is standing in front of the square
Bill, who attends the church, says there's a "great atmosphere" in Gracehill

Janet's husband Bill says Gracehill is a "very special place".

He said getting the Unesco world status is "a true accolade for the village".

"The news coming through this morning is absolutely fantastic," he said.

"It's a magnificent place to live.

"Everybody's very friendly. It has a great atmosphere."

'Over the moon'

Jackie is wearing sun-glasses. She's wearing a hoodie.
Tour guide Jackie thinks it's great news, but is "worried" about coach parties

Jackie Neill is also a tour guide in the village.

She says it's "absolutely amazing" to get a Unesco status, but she's concerned about footfall to the village.

"We're very worried about coach parties," she said.

"This is now where the work begins.

"We have to find somewhere where coaches can park."

Despite Gracehill's appeal, Jackie thinks the community will "manage" and hopes it will bring "a bit of money to the village".

"We're just over the moon," she said.

"Hopefully it will help us with the preservation of not only the buildings, which are beautiful, but also the culture."

'So proud'

Ruth is standing in front of the chairman's house. She's wearing a yellow coat and sunglasses
Ruth, who attends the church, says everyone is "just so proud of the village"

Ruth Johnston moved away from Ballymena to go to university, but knew she wanted to join the church when she moved back three years ago.

"It's a wonderful church," she said.

"You just feel like, walking around here, everyone knows everyone else. There is a special feel to Gracehill. There's a special magic to it, whatever the season," she said.

"The seasons are always equally beautiful in their own way here," she added.

"Everyone here is just so proud of the village."

Julie is posing with her dog. She's wearing a pick top.
Julie, who attends the Moravian Church, says the village is "a special place"

Churchgoer Julie Barr used to live in the village but now lives a mile away.

"There are people in Ballymena who really don't know the heritage of Gracehill and... I just think it's really exciting news for us," she said.

Julie thinks getting the World Heritage title, puts Gracehill "on the map".

"It's special because it's kept its authenticity. It's beautiful. The grounds are looked after so well, the church. Everybody just loves it," she added.

"It's just a special place."