Public information meetings to help secure geopark status

Public information meetings to help secure geopark status

20 June 2018

MORE public events to provide people with information about plans to secure a world renowned tourism designation for an area stretching across a huge area from Strangford Lough to South Armagh are to be held over the coming weeks.

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.

A steering committee has been established to spearhead the bid which is in its very early stages, with the formal application to secure geopark status not expected to be submitted until November next year.

Those behind the ambitious plan insist 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. The emphasis moving forward is on partnership and engaging with local communities, with the steering group keen to talk to as many people as possible.

Securing the prestigious designation is one of the key planks of the local authority’s tourism strategy, with preparatory work on the designation application starting 12 months ago.

The focus is now on firming up the boundaries of the proposed geopark with those involved in compiling the UNESCO designation confident it has the potential to deliver high quality tourism in the area, increasing the number of international visitors.

The local authority is exploring the tourism potential associated with securing geopark status and a series of public information events are being held to provide an opportunity for people to find out more about the application.

Members of the council’s geopark team will be at this month’s Mourne International Walking Festival in Newcastle and Castlewellan Show on July 14.

In addition, they will also be at the hugely popular Soma Festival which takes place in Castlewellan between July 19 and 22, while towards the end of the month they will be speaking to people at the  Strangford Lough Skiffie Festival based at Strangford Lough and Delamont Country Park. On August 11, the geopark team will be in attendance at the international Festival of Flight in Newcastle.

Supported by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), the geopark project community events programme provides an opportunity to learn about geology through activities such as making fossils, erupting volcanoes, touching and seeing wonderful rock specimens and making your very own planet earth. 

Dr Kirstin Lemon from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), said the proposed geopark in the scenic landscapes of Mourne, Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale, had the potential to generate sustainable tourism and deliver a range of economic benefits, while providing recreational opportunities and increased awareness of the area’s natural assets. 

“It will involve people in their landscape and work with local landowners, businesses and communities. There is a programme of work involved in securing geopark status and activity has been initiated to allow an application to be submitted to UNESCO for consideration,” she added.

Council chairman Mark Murnin said securing geopark status for the area would play a key role in differentiating the region, giving it a much stronger and cohesive market identity. 

“The proposed geopark will bring significant economic benefits and will also have an important role to play in empowering local communities, giving them the opportunities to develop cohesive partnerships with the common goal of promoting the area’s significant geological and other heritage,” he said. 

“The geopark brand does not impose any restrictions on farming practices, planning or development.”

Further information about the geopark application process is available by emailing geopark@nmandd.org or log on to unesco.org and/or newrymournedown.org.