Joyce Country in Cornamona, Connemara is moving closer to achieving full UNESCO Geopark status.
Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo is seeking to employ a geological consultant to identify the steps needed to secure the full designation.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are geographical sites or landscapes of international geological significance, which are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
Joyce Country has already been accepted by the Geological Survey of Ireland as having the attributes needed to obtain full Geopark status.
A Geopark seeks to conserve significant geological features, and explore and demonstrate methods for excellence in conservation.
It is responsible for organising activities and providing educational support to communicate geo-scientific knowledge and environmental concepts to the public.
This is accomplished through protected and interpreted geo-sites, museums, information centres, trails, tours, school excursions, popular literature, maps, and seminars.
Natural, cultural, historical, archaeological points of interest must also be integrated.
In the Joyce Country area, the Geopark concept is viewed as a model of rural development.
One of the criteria of a Geopark is that it has to play an active role in the economic development of its region through enhancing its general image.
It’s hoped that working to attain geopark status will act as a stimulus for agri-tourism, crafts artisan food production and development of a food trail.
The deadline for submission of tenders to Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo is Friday, the 26th of August.
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