The Joyce Country and Western Lakes region which covers Galway and Mayo has taken a step forward on its path to becoming a UNESCO Geopark.
This fascinating region contains Ireland’s only fjord at Killary, where glaciers cut a path through the land in the last ice age, and the beautiful karst landscape in the old woods between Cong and Clonbur, and many more geological delights.
The application for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Region to become a Global Geopark was first submitted last November.
The most recent step forward for the aspiring Geopark came with the arrival of two UNESCO evaluators in July for a three day assessment.
The evaluators, Stéphane Legal and Antonio García Jímenez were shown around the region and met with stakeholders in a number of events highlighting the heritage, experiences and people the region has to offer.
The assessment included such iconic Galway spots as being lakeside by Kylemore Abbey and touring Killary Fjord on a boat.
If successful, the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Region will become the fourth UNESCO Geopark in Ireland.
It will join the ranks of iconic locations at Copper Coast in County Waterford; the Burren & Cliffs of Moher, County Clare; and Cuilcagh Lakelands in County Fermanagh and County Cavan.
In the latest development of Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring Geopark, a 2023 – 2028 management plan for the region was launched in February.
This sets-out ideas, priorities and actions on tourism-led community and business development in the would-be Geopark.
