Special status for natural treasures

Donal Hickey on Ireland’s rich ‘geopark’ potential.

THE popularity of the Cliffs of Moher is proof more people can be drawn to natural, rather than man-made, attractions. One of the country’s leading tourist attractions, the cliffs are visited by a million people each year.

The impressive new visitor centre at the cliffs, in west Clare, uses the latest communications technology to inform visitors about the area’s natural history, and is an additional draw. But the cliff-top walks, wildlife, and ocean views are worth experiencing alone. In any case, there is growing interest in exploring and connecting with the ground under our feet.

In the coming years, we’ll hear more about geoparks, of which there are two in Ireland — in Co Waterford and Co Fermanagh. Europe has 32. The Cliffs of Moher, believed to be 300m years old, should fit the concept, especially if taken with the Burren.

Given their name, it might be assumed that ‘geoparks’ are about the earth’s crust and rocks, but they are much more than that. A geopark is defined as ‘a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of particular importance, rarity or aesthetic appeal, with high historical and cultural interest and huge biodiversity’. Archaeology, ancient ruins and wildlife are included.

Ireland has five, or six, areas with the potential to be developed as internationally-recognised geoparks, says Dr Patrick McKeever, of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. Places such as the Giant’s Causeway, in Co Antrim, the Cliffs of Moher/Burren, and the sandstone and mountainous areas of south Kerry and Connemara are all likely candidates, but they would have to meet strict, qualifying criteria.

Work on getting geopark status for the Copper Coast, in Co Waterford, was started by local communities in 1997. They began promoting the 25km stretch of coastline, which has a mining history dating to the early 19th century. They carried out in-depth study of the area and focused on heritage and education. Courses in geology are run at different levels there, aimed at people of all ages.

The Copper Coast Geopark extends between Tramore, in the east, towards Dungarvan, in the west, and involves six local communities, each with their own attractions. Fenor has a bog and mini-farm; Dunhill, the ruins of a medieval castle and church; Annestown, a lime kiln, promontory fort and spectacular beach; while Bunmahon has 19th century copper mines, a geological garden and a Geopark Centre, to give a few examples.

The Copper Coast is described by European Geoparks as an ‘outdoor geology museum’ with a geological heritage that reflects the variety of environments under which the area has evolved over the last 460m years. Copper was mined extensively in the area during the 19th century.

There is also a rich, cultural heritage — Neolithic dolmens, Iron Age forts, pre-Christian inscribed stones, ruined medieval churches, and a spectacular castle owned by one community group.

Services offered by the Copper Coast Geopark include visits to primary schools, field trips with secondary schools, a team of local guides trained by the Geopark for summer walks, geology courses, numerous publications, an actively managed website and a path through geological time in the geological garden.

Also, the EU-funded geopark has acquired a disused church building for conversion into a new geopark centre, which will serve not only as a community and visitor centre, but also offers a range of services and facilities, such as the bistro and educational facilities, and archive/genealogical services.

In Fermanagh, the Marble Arch limestone caves attract 60,000 visitors per year. New caves were opened, in 1995, and the promoters began to look on the caves as an educational resource, as well as a tourist attraction. “The emphasis is on learning through exploration,” says Richard Watson, of Marble Arch, in Science Spin magazine.

Cuilcagh Mountain Park was opened in 1999, and is managed by Fermanagh District Council in conjunction with Marble Arch caves. The distinctive, sandstone summit ridge of Cuilcagh Mountain dominates the countryside of Co Fermanagh.

Cuilcagh was heavily glaciated during successive Ice Ages and has fine, weathered erosion features, including impressive landslides and extensive boulder fields. The mountain has rugged, panoramic scenery that is popular with visiting hillwalkers and rock climbers.

As well as that, Cuilcagh is rich in globally and nationally-rare habitats, ranging from ancient forest to mountain heath, supporting internationally important flora and fauna. The mountain displays one of the best areas of active blanket bog in Europe and contains Northern Ireland’s finest upland karst, or limestone landscape.

Much further south, a Co Kerry Geopark initiative has been launched to flag the case of a rugged area through which runs the spectacular Ring of Kerry. As well as magnificent wild scenery, the area has much to offer in archaeology, history and nature.