Mayo/Galway celebrations ahead of UNESCO geopark award presentation in Paris

THE Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark will officially receive its UNESCO Global Geopark award on April 27 at the UNESCO executive board meeting in Paris.

A local delegation, including the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, will travel to the French capital for the ceremony at UNESCO headquarters.

Straddling Mayo and Galway, the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark received the green light to become a UNESCO Global Geopark last September.

Ahead of the momentous event, communities in the region are organising a weekend of celebration to mark the official ratification, with music, heritage events and lots more taking place from April 23 to 26. The full schedule of events is available at joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie.

Spanning 1560 km2 in south-west Mayo and north County Galway, the geopark includes 20 fascinating communities. It will be the first UNESCO territory with a Gaeltacht, and will join a global network of 229 geoparks in 50 countries.

This international badge of honour recognises the region’s breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, remarkable geology and the quality of work under-taken from the ground up with local communities. It also brings new opportunities and a genuinely positive outlook for the communities, especially in tourism, education, and local business growth.