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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Some of the Ballinrobe locals at Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark’s ‘road show’ in SuperValu carpark in the town, during Heritage Week August 2024, with geologist Benjamin Thébaudeau
A geopark capturing south-west Mayo and north-west Galway is on track to achieve UNESCO status by the autumn of 2025.
As part of Heritage Week, Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) Geopark took to the road with various events to inform the public about its unique unspoilt landscape.
Events in Oughterard, Headford and Ballinrobe were led by the geopark Geologist Benjamin Thébaudeau, who gave informal discussions about how the landscapes formed over 750 million years.
The roadshow aimed to inform the public about what a geopark is and how the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark can help the 20 communities in the area to grow local businesses, jobs and sustain and expand local services.
Securing UNESCO status would protect and preserve the unique geography of the area and also aid the economic development of the region.
An assessment last year gave JCWL Geopark a maximum of two years to implement various recommendations, including the installation of additional signs
The geopark includes the villages of Ballintubber, Partry, Tourmakeady, Finny, Leenane, Recess, Maam, Maam Cross, Kilmilkin, Clochbhreac, Cornamona, Oughterard, Cong, Clonbur and The Neale are all included in the area, as well as all of Loughs Carra and Mask, and around half of Lough Corrib.
There are currently three geoparks on the island of Ireland with UNESCO status; The Burren and Cliffs of Moher; the Copper Coast in Waterford and The Marble Arches Caves in Fermanagh.
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