Special to The Irish American Post

An application to highlight the geological heritage and treasures of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare has been submitted to UNESCO and the European Geoparks Network. If successful, the application will result in the continued preservation of the area’s geological heritage and the enhancement of a sustainable tourism base in the west of Ireland. Ireland currently has two designated Geoparks: the Marble Arch Caves/Cuilcagh mountain park in Fermanagh and the Copper Coast in Waterford.

The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher Geopark application has been prepared by Clare County Council and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher GeoPark Committee, which comprises Shannon Development, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Clare Biodiversity Steering Group, Geological Survey of Ireland, Burren Outdoor Pursuits Centre VEC, and BurrenBeo Teo. The Burren plateau itself is one of the finest examples of a karstic limestone terrain in the world while the Cliffs of Moher have the reputation of being the highest cliffs in Europe. 

For the past three decades, Clare County Council and Shannon Development have overseen the development of the North Clare region, placing a strong emphasis on traditional music, landscape and walking tours, good food and good quality accommodation. "The Burren is presently well established as a touring region for those interested in flora, archaeology and traditional music," the application stated. "The Burren Geopark brand will be particularly valuable in this regard."

In recent years, the local authority has provided a platform for the creation of development and conservation partnerships in the Burren through its County Development Plan, The North Clare Local Area Plan and County Clare Heritage Plan. It is hoped that the potential of obtaining Geopark status will further enhance and reinforce the creation of these partnerships.

While the application spoke of a desire to emphasize all features of this "unique environment," it promised to ensure that "the geology features prominently and receives the ranking that it deserves in all awareness raising efforts and education material." And "true to the spirit of the European union, we will develop translation of the geological tourism information in French, German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian."

Congella McGuire, heritage officer with Clare County Council, said the Geopark status would boost the local economy "through the development of a branded image linked to the geological heritage and the development of Geotourism." She explained the objective is to enable "those living in the Burren region to actively participate in the area’s cultural revitalization," as it would directly impact the local people, living conditions and environment. 

The application stated 25 percent of a new geography curriculum in Irish secondary focuses on geology, offering "a marvelous opportunity for marketing the outstanding geological features of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher," an education it would also like to impart to primary schools and university groups. 

The application proposed enhancing existing visitor facilities and developing other centers in the Burren region. This would include upgrading the Burren Centre in Kilfenora and improving other educational and visitor resources. It noted a 32 million euro project is underway to improve the facilities at the Cliffs of Moher, to be completed in 2007.

"It is planned to target these and other facilities to include up to date information on the Geology of the region. It’s hoped that the partnership and the proposed entity, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Committee, would be the ideal structure to secure funding to enable a geological input into any new developments," stated Paddy Maher, member of the Clare Tourism Council and Geopark Committee.

"The New Visitor Experience currently under construction by Clare County Council at the Cliffs of Moher will further enhance the site. Geology is being integrated as the keystone display feature in this center and a showcase for the entire region," he said. Maher concluded by saying the Geopark status "should not be regarded as another set of rules and regulations for the Burren," noting designating Geopark status requires public participation.

Meanwhile, it has been proposed that the National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Rangers will monitor the sites while the proposed Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Committee will manage and co-ordinate all the geological developmental and presentational aspects proposed in the application. 

The Committee will work in consultation with elected members of Clare County Council, the tourism sector, and local community groups. They have suggested in the application that the areas surrounding the high Burren could be included in any future submission. Such areas would include the East Burren Wetlands and the eastern lowlands incorporating the villages of Ruan, Tubber, Boston, Kinvara and Gort.

The submission also includes methods of educating visitors to the region in an attempt to protect its precious geological resource. Cllr. Richard Nagle, Chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee said, "The recently developed Burren Code has been disseminated to raise awareness of the removal of Karst Limestone rock and other practices that damage the area. We propose that having European Geopark status and Brand would assist in the education of tourists and alleviate this destruction of karst sites visited by tourists."

"Clare County Council is aware of what has been achieved by other European Geopark Network members. We believe that part of the plan for a successful and balanced future for the Burren Uplands and Cliffs of Moher lies in becoming a successful member of the European Geopark organization," he concluded.