New geotrail launched in Joyce Country

A NEW trail taking in some of the most spectacular scenes in Mayo and Galway has been launched.

The ‘Mám Éan Geotrail’ is situated long the Western Way, and is located at the ancient pass crossing the Maumturks mountains between the Maam Valley and the Inagh Valley.

The geotrail consists of three info panels exploring the geological links between the west of Ireland and north eastern America – which were once linked before the appearance of the Atlantic Ocean 100 million years ago.

These geological connections between the two continents are particularly emphasised at Mám Éan in County Galway in the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark.

Mám Éan is located at the ancient pass crossing the Maumturks mountains between the Maam Valley and the Inagh Valley. Ireland shares a geological history with the USA and Canada, and also Scotland, Scandinavia and Greenland. 

The Mám Éan Geotrail has been described as a great asset for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) Geopark and the local communities of Maam, Recess and Leenane, expanding the interpretation already offered in the geopark region.

The JCWL Geopark is currently applying for UNESCO status, which would see it become only the fourth geopark on the island to earn the much sought-after accolade.

The Mám Éan Geotrail was commissioned by JCWL GeoEnterprise (the cross-community group representing the JCWL Geopark communities in the Geopark), funded by Geological Survey Ireland’s GeoHeritage grant and produced by the JCWL Geopark in association with Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach (CDS) Teo, in partnership with National Parks and Wildlife Services and County Galway Rural Recreation Officer based in Forum Connemara.