Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark hopes for UNESCO status in autumn
Lough Corrib
It is hoped that the Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) Geopark project gets UNESCO status this autumn.
The geopark is an aspiring geopark spanning north Connemara, south west Mayo and most of the lakes Carra, Corrib and Mask. Currently, there is no UNESCO designation in Connacht nor is there any Geopark in Ireland that includes a Gaeltacht region.
Michael Hegarty (Geopark manager), Dr Benjamin Thébaudeau (Geopark geologist) and Dominic O’Móráin (tourism officer) gave a detailed presentation to councillors at a recent tourism strategic policy committee meeting.
At a UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting in Morocco last September, JCWL Geopark received a deferral, which Mr Hegarty said was common with new applicants.
Dr Thébaudeau said an improvement on the visiability of the proposed geopark, an educational programme, sounder financial footing and increased partnering with local businesses and community were required.
Councillor Peter Flynn said the geopark project has gone below the radar and urged everyone to realise the potential of a UNESCO designation on our doorstep.
“There’s so many beautiful parks in Mayo and Galway. It’s a cross-county piece and it’s important we create those links,” said the councillor.
