World cliff diving event a boost for Mayo sports tourism
THE decision by the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series to host an event in the series at Downpatrick Head is recognition of the potential that sports tourism presents to Co. Mayo.
Mayo County Council has welcomed confirmation by Red Bull of its decision to host a leg of the world series 2021 at the iconic Downpatrick cliffs in Ballycastle next September.
The series is one of the most sought after and breath-taking sports tourism events internationally and this year 24 of the world’s most elite cliff divers will perform dives and somersaults of incredible complexity from heights of up to 27m.
The 2021 World series is being held across four countries - France, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mayo.
The event was confirmed yesterday (Monday) after months of meticulous planning between staff of Mayo County Council and the event promoters and included examination of a number of locations in the county and extensive liaison with a range of stakeholders, including landowners, local communities, An Garda Síochána, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the HSE and the emergency services.
Peter Duggan, interim chief executive at Mayo County Council, outlined: “Mayo County Council is delighted to welcome the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series to Mayo.
“In recent years the county has put an emphasis on developing the area of sports tourism, which is a key growth area of tourism. Securing the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is a testament to local community goodwill and recognition of the potential that sports tourism presents to Co. Mayo.”
Added Donal Newcombe, sports tourism officer: “Through our work with Red Bull Ireland we identified a number of locations throughout Mayo which fulfilled the criteria which Red Bull International required to host one of their cliff diving world series events. I am therefore delighted to welcome their decision to stage this international event of such stature at Downpatrick Head.
“Mayo is a sports mad county, with top class tourism assets and facilities and is a perfect fit for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.”
The tourism and municipal districts teams at Mayo County Council will continue to work with event organisers and local stakeholders over the weeks ahead and look forward to the staging of a safe and successful event.
Updated details will be posted on mayo.ie.