An area of spectacular landscape that includes the Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh has been recognised by Unesco, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
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The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim was the first site in the north to be awarded UNESCO status in 1986.
The decision was taken to award the Marble Arch Caves at UNESCO’s General Conference in Paris earlier this month.
“UNESCO Global Geoparks tell the 4,600 million year story of Planet Earth and of the geological events that shaped it as well as the evolution of humanity itself [and] strive to raise awareness of geodiversity and promote protection, education and tourism best practices”.
Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive, Clare County Council commented: “Clare County Council has been working in partnership and collaboration with other agencies in the Burren since 2006 to develop a truly sustainable tourism destination that gives direct benefits to the local community”.
The Caves geopark is now one of just 120 such sites across the globe.
Global Geopark status is awarded to areas “with internationally important geological heritage” that also have a “sustainable tourism strategy so that they benefit the local and regional economy”.
The Marble Arch Caves Unesco global geopark is the second site in Northern Ireland to be designated by the body.
“I am certain the new designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark will help to act as a catalyst for increasing our tourism revenue, using the world-renowned UNESCO brand as a mechanism for sharing our wonderful natural landscapes with the world”.
In Canada, this means both the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark and the Stonehammer Geopark will now be recognized and UNESCO Global Geopark sites.
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“I would like to offer my congratulations to all those involved in this tremendous achievement”.
