Mourne Gullion Strangford Hosts UK Committee for UNESCO Geopark
With its newly acquired UNESCO Geopark status, Mourne Gullion Stangford played host this week to the 2023 meeting of the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The Committee is a dynamic network where members work together to share examples of best practice and join in common projects. With the addition of Mourne Gullion Strangford, there are now nine geoparks in the UK stretching from the English Riviera to Shetland in Scotland across the Irish sea to Cuilcagh Lakeland in Fermanagh. Approximately 30 representatives from across the British Isles attended the two day event on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June at Killeavy Castle, and took part in a series of special meetings and field trips.
There is a growing number of new sustainable and regenerative tourism businesses starting to emerge across Mourne Gullion Strangford and on the first day of the meeting the committee members had an opportunity to experience some of the Geopark’s dramatic scenery through a number of planned activities, including an exciting e-bike safari in the Mournes thanks to Mourne Bikes from Rostrevor. They also had a chance to meet some of the amazing residents and businesses who are safeguarding the landscape through their work in conservation, education and sustainable development.
On Wednesday evening, entertainment was provided by the Traditional Arts Partnership from Ring of Gillion, which included a special Geo-tasting menu created from ‘Geofoods’ - locally sourced ingredients produced through sustainable methods, key to the development of sustainable Geotourism.
On the following day, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte, introduced a series of fascinating talks focusing on how to build and bring together all aspects of our heritage, such as archaeology, history, culture and biodiversity. She said, “Through our journey to becoming a member of the UNESCO Global Geopark network, I have discovered many things such as how geology can influence not just the shape of our land, but its soils, its biodiversity and its culture. Our area tells a ‘Tale of Two Oceans’ across 400 million years. It is a unique place to visit and a wonderful area to live and work, and I am proud to be able to showcase this to the Geopark forum. It is important to learn from each other in relation to how tourism can preserve culture and heritage and deliver sustainable tourism experiences through the sharing of stories, people and place."
Dr Kirstin Lemon, Senior Geologist at the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Chair of UK Committee of UNESCO Global Geoparks said, “It is a real privilege to welcome members of the UK Committee to Mourne Gullion Strangford, the newest member of the UK geopark family. GSNI has worked with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for over a decade to achieve UNESCO Global Geopark status and to now be able to celebrate the area’s amazing international geological status and the role that it plays in local sustainable development is a momentous occasion.”