Mayo geopark 'will not impact' local property owners

Property owners in the vicinity of the proposed UNESCO Geopark in Mayo and Galway have been assured that the facility will not negatively impact their homes or lands.

The assurances by Michael Hegarty and Benjamin Thebaudeau, of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark, were provided during a presentation to Westport-Belmullet Municipal District. The meeting heard that the park, which straddles the Mayo-Galway border, is expected to be awarded UNESCO status in September following a years-long campaign.

Michael Hegarty told councillors: “There are 129 such parks in the world today, over 75 in Europe, four of which are in Ireland, and some in Asia and Thailand and people like to travel from one geopark to another across the world.

“The Joyce Country Geopark consists of 1,560 square kilometres of territory with mountains rising up to 700 metres. It includes three of the Great Western Lakes, Lough Carra, Lough Mask and half of Lough Corrib, and also contains the only fjord in the country at Killary Harbour.

“It covers a population of 20,000 across 17 villages and the three main serving towns of Ballinrobe, Oughterard and Headford and is the only one to also include a Gaeltacht area."

Mr Hegarty said a geopark must have "an internationally recognised geology of international significance, in terms of landscape, history and culture". He said the project will help to promote and improve an "under-developed area".

Project geologist Ben Thebaudeau added: “We shine a light on the overall region and how its geology interacts with everything. We also focus on the Gaeltacht and the Irish language which we promote across all our activities. There is also an education programme on the entire geopark and training for anyone who wants to become an ambassador.” 

He noted that the geopark terrain was rich with a wide variety of rocks due to Ireland’s geological history which saw it connected to North America before being separated by the Atlantic Ocean around 400 million years ago, “and most of our marble (including Connemara marble) tells of that connection”.

Interesting features in the topology include springs, swallow holes and turloughs over our limestone area “which people are very interested in and this is especially visible in Cong while Lough Carra being a marl lake is also very unusual".

The geologist continued: “What we are trying to do is get people interested in the outdoors and in spending more time in the area. It is about slowing down and enjoying the culture and landscape. Also, it all provides lots of commercial opportunities for local farmers and communities, who we work in partnership with. By highlighting what you can do here and where to stay, the focus is on reversing rural decline while ensuring sustainable development, and people being proud of what they have and promoting it themselves.”

While councillors welcomed the ongoing progress towards achieving UNESCO status, concerns were raised over whether it would infringe on the movement or rights of land and property owners in the area.

Cllr Peter Flynn also asked whether consideration could be given to changing the name of the geopark to something local and catchy, saying: “I just noted recently that Western Lakes has been added to the name. We don’t want a situation arising as happened with the naming of the Ballycroy National Park, which is now the Wild Nephin National Park. I think it is important that Mayo and Galway are mentioned in the name.” 

Cllr Gerry Coyle said he remembered Professor Seamus Caulfield trying to do something similar with the Ceide Fields in North Mayo but there was “huge local opposition to it as people felt they would be restricted in farming". 

"While I love the idea of it, the heritage first of all belongs to the people who protected it and the concern remains is it going to affect the lives of the people living in those boundaries as they move on and give a site to a son or daughter.” 

Cllr Chris Maxwell said he was delighted to see the geopark going ahead and he would support it provided there were no additional restrictions on farmers or local people building homes. 

Cllr John O’Malley expressed concerns about traffic congestion that might be caused by a large influx of visitors.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Carey said all concerns raised were valid, adding: “In rural areas now we are blighted with designations such as SPCs and NHAs so we need to know what is in it for the locals.” 

In response, Mr Hegarty said the promoters of the Geopark had "no interest" in getting involved in planning applciations.

"This really is all about social and community development.”

Mr Thebaudeau added: “We can reassure you there are no restrictions to come. UNESCO geoparks do not come in with any planning restrictions or on people there. In the Ceide Fields, I believe Professor Caulfield was seeking to introduce a world heritage site which is about preservation as a primary function, to a certain extent at the exclusion of the people. But a geopark is about community and promoting from the ground up and ensuring they stay strong and lively into the future.” 

Mr Hegarty said the project was about "bottom-up and community-based tourism". 

"Visitors want to be able to buy food, local crafts, do local activities such as angling and kayaking. So it is not about attracting people from big cities and seeing them whizzing through on a big bus.

“It offers potential to build little industries along the way, for example, new income streams for farmers through offerings such as farm tours or the Community Walks scheme, where a few landowners can draw down from the fund together.

“So there would be seasonal business potential for locally built small-scale businesses. Already we have a number operating successfully in the area, such as in businesses relating to sheepdogs, wool and traditional basket-making. In all, we currently have over 100 businesses on our network as well as a very active community network. Visitors don’t have to be interested in geology to come here, it is all about there being information available on what there is to see and do.”

Concluding the presentation, the two speakers appealed to the councillors for any funding support they could offer the continuing geopark campaign.