Bid for prestigious geopark status formally submitted

11 December 2019

A BID to secure a world renowned tourism designation for an area stretching across a huge area from the Mournes to Strangford Lough has been formally submitted.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is seeking prestigious UNESCO geopark status for an area taking in the Mournes, Ring of Gullion and the Strangford and Lecale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has the potential to generate millions of pounds in tourism revenue.

This week, the local authority confirmed that the formal geopark bid has been submitted with officials hoping that it will be successful.

Northern Ireland’s only other current geopark — the Marble Arch Caves in Fermanagh — contributes just over £15m to the economy.

Those behind the ambitious plan to secure geopark status for a huge swathe of land covering the

Mournes, Ring of Gullion and Strangford Lough, are confident that if secured, the international designation can help transform the local economy.

It has been revealed that if successful, the geopark brand will use the geological heritage of the three areas to develop sustainable tourism that generates economic benefits, while providing recreational opportunities and increased awareness of the area’s natural assets, working with landowners, businesses and communities.

An examination of geoparks reveals that typical activities include the development of walking and cycling trails, training local people to act as guides, the provision of information signs and the development of visitor centres.

The ultimate aim of a geopark is to enhance the economy and develop employment opportunities for the people who live there, but the global brand does not impose any restrictions on farming practices, planning or development.

Council officials say that securing geopark status is primarily about environmental sustainability and, at the same time, trying to increase economic revenue in a part of the world already revered for its stunning beauty.

Geoparks are based around significant areas of geology and are set up to support sustainable economic development of an area, primarily through geological and eco-tourism.

But they are not just about geology and include sites that are of interest for their history, archaeology, biodiversity, folklore, cultural and local heritage.

Securing the prestigious geopark designation is one of the key planks of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s tourism strategy, with work on the designation application starting well over 18 months ago.

Those behind the geopark designation are confident that it has the potential to deliver high quality tourism in the area, increasing the number of international visitors in particular. And while there is a significant financial benefit for securing geopark status, council officials insist the benefits are not just economic.

They have previously argued that geoparks have a “significant role” to play in empowering local communities and giving them the opportunities to develop cohesive partnerships with the common goal of promoting the area’s significant geological and other heritage.

There are currently 127 geoparks found in 35 countries across the world, all of which have been developed using a bottom-up approach with local communities playing a significant role in this process.

Currently, there are three designated geoparks in Ireland. In addition to the Marble Arch Caves in Fermanagh, they include The Burren and Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare and the Copper Coast geopark in Co Waterford.

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman confirmed on Monday afternoon that the local authority’s bid for geopark was formally submitted last month.

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