UNESCO status will attract investment in scenic Galway and Mayo region
Headford hosted celebrations
THE Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark, taking in Headford and other areas of counties Galway and Mayo, was officially recognised as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Connacht over the weekend.
The region becomes the fifth UNESCO Global Geopark on the island and also the first UNESCO site to include a Gaeltacht area. It covers 20 communities across North Galway and South West Mayo, stretching from Headford over to Clonbur, Oughterard and Connemara, Killary Fjord and back to Ballinrobe.
The international accolade acknowledges the natural beauty, culture, heritage and language of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark (JCWL) region, which is more than 1,500sq/km in size. Thursday’s announcement was marked by four days of celebrations in locations in Galway and Mayo.
The Headford Lace Project hosted a display and live demonstrations at the Angler's Rest Hotel in Headford on Thursday evening. There were also choral performances from the Sing On and the Corrib Singers choirs, as well as a drumming session from Eimhin Craddock's Drumadore group.
Celebrations moved on to Oughterard, Cong, Connemara, Clonbur, Tourmakeady and Ballinrobe across Friday and into the weekend.
“UNESCO Global Geopark status shines a well-deserved spotlight not just on our unique landscape, but on the people who live and work here and have cared for it over generations,” said Councillor David Collins, the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council.
“While the economic benefits are clear, there’s also a strong conservation element to this award, supporting communities to protect our natural heritage, biodiversity and way of life, and ensuring this special part of Galway and Mayo is preserved and respected into the future.”
Trish Walsh, the Chair of the JCWL GeoEnterprise, also welcomed the announcement.
“UNESCO Global Geopark status is an international brand of quality that will help attract investment and market the region for sustainable growth and development,” said Trish Walsh.
“We are looking to the future as Geoparks are established through bottom-up processes empowering local people and stakeholders in managing their own heritage and playing a significant role in developing thriving and vibrant communities.”
As well as recognising the work of the local communities involved, the award of UNESCO Global Geopark status to the JCWL comes as a nod to the contributions made by partner agencies such as GeoEnterprise, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway and Mayo County Councils, Geological Survery Ireland the local development co-op Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo.
The JCWL Geopark joins a list of Geoparks in Ireland and Northern Ireland that includes the Burren and Cliffs of Moher in Clare, the Copper Coast in Waterford, the Mourne Guillon Strangford in Down and Armagh, and the Cuilcagh Lakelands straddling the Fermanagh-Cavan border.
The UNESCO Global Geopark status lasts for four years and can be revalidated thereafter.
There are 241 Global Geoparks worldwide in 51 countries.