Expansion of Geopark a "major opportunity" for Cavan says Feeley
West Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has described the forthcoming launch of the Marble Arch Caves Geopark as "but the beginning".
Cllr Feeley was speaking after an application submitted by the authorities in Cavan and Fermanagh to recognise Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark as a cross-border geopark was approved by the world heritage body, UNESCO.
“The expansion of the Marble Arch Geopark into County Cavan is a major opportunity to develop the tourism industry in West Cavan in the coming year. I am delighted by the decision of the UNESCO Geopark Network to make this designation,” stated Cllr Feeley.
The Geopark designation encompassed the Marble Arch Caves in Marlbank, County Fermanagh and surrounding areas and will now take in the famous Burren area outside Blacklion, the Shannon Pot, the Cavan Way Walk, the Sean Eamonn Ruairi Walk in Glangevlin and a necklace of other sites from the ‘White Father’s Cave,’ near Blacklion to the Swanlinbar Looped Walks, Turbet Island, Belturbet and Clough Oughter.
“The key elements in the Geopark are the Marble Arch Cavan, the Burren and the Shannon Pot,” added Cllr Feeley, who paid tribute to the work of Cavan Co Council staff for their work on the project.
“I congratulate our County Manager, Jack Keyes, the former Director of Services, Seamus Neely, Joanne Hayes, Tourist Officer, Ann-Marie Ward, Heritage Officer and Derry Scanlon, Area Engineer, who together with Jim deLacy, Area Overseer and the local Council Staff worked very diligently to bring all the elements of this project together,” stated Cllr Feeley.
“Over the past twelve months, Cavan Co Council have, building on existing investments in sites such as the Burren, the Shannon Pot and Cavan Way, greatly improved access to the various sites, including developing walks, signage and other works to make the area more attractive to visitors and meet the exacting requirements of the Geoparks Network an investment of in excess of €500,000,” added Cllr Feeley.
“All of the work which also included contractors, the Rural Social Scheme and indeed the input of Killinagh Community Council and West Cavan Community Council and the local community, came together for the very comprehensive inspection held last year. It is a credit to all involved. I think the great work of Richard Watson, the Geopark Manager and Kisten Lemon, Geologist must also be noted together with the cooperation of Coillte Teoranta and the other agencies involved must be noted,” stated Cllr Feeley.
Determined that the designation will not be seen as an end in itself, Councillor Feeley has called for an all out effort to use this designation to attract further funding for various projects in the area.
“This is a unique designation”, said Cllr Feeley, who added “we can use this to ensure that West Cavan and the other parts of the Geopark gain in terms of improved amenities. There are a number of projects that should now be undertaken to make the villages which fall within the Geopark as attractive as possible.
“Cavan VEC have proposed the development of an Outdoor Education Centre at Corrard House near Dowra; Waterways Ireland are continuing to press their plans to extend the Shannon Navigation and Cavan County Council have clearly mapped out their plans for the careful development of the Burren.
“I believe we must make a sustained effort to tap into every source of funding to promote the Geopark and to improve access to this tourist product,” concluded Feeley.
The launch of the Marble Arch Caves Geopark, to be preformed by Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment will take place this Friday, January 16 in the Slieve Russell.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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