More discussions on Mayo's national park name change

THE decision to drop Ballycroy from the title of Mayo's national park is not set in stone and it will be looked at again, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have confirmed.

A process of consultation was urged by local councillors in order to not cause division in the local community, who have supported the park since its inception.

The name change to Wild Nephin National Park was done to reflect the park's landscape - the Nephin Beg mountain range, Denis Strong of the NPWS explained at a meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

Councillor Paul McNamara said they had to be respectful to all the townlands and community input is important.

The Ballycroy community will be addressing the next municipal district meeting. Their name was up there from day one and he understood their frustration with the change.

The councillor suggested the naming of the park should go through the same process as it originally did, involving all the different stakeholders.

He further proposed the name be Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park.

On this, Mr. Strong said Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park had been proposed but Fáilte Ireland felt it was too wordy.

The new name was more appropriate to the entire landscape, as opposed to one community. They had to listen to all voices.

Councillor Gerry Coyle said there needed to be a compromise and he urged there be consultation, not confrontation, with Councillor Peter Flynn suggesting a stakeholders group would be useful for this issue and the park's future development.

Noting the goodwill of the people was essential for the future, Councillor Sean Carey said Ballycroy was the mainstay at the beginning and it should be included in the name.

Asked by Councillor Brendan Mulroy if it was a 'done deal' and there was no going back on the name change, Mr. Strong said there was nothing set in stone and he felt there were options they could take away and there would be more discussions.