Geopark status opens doors for the Burren

BURREN Connect was established in November 2006 to develop sustainable tourism and environmental protection of the Burren. It immediately began work to achieve Geopark status for the area.
“The reason we decided to do it is because Geoparks are regions that have very good quality natural and heritage features. In these locations, conservation and awareness are going hand in hand with economic development and tourism. We thought that would work for the Burren,” Carol Gleeson explained.
According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), a Geopark is an area with geological heritage of international significance and where heritage is being used to promote the sustainable development of the local communities who live there.
Those living there balance stunning views of a unique landscape with the sometimes stifling rules and regulations that come with its official classifications. They were not, therefore, rash in their enthusiasm for a new title for the Burren. Getting the backing of local people required a convincing information campaign.
“There was concern initially that Geopark status would mean further restrictions on farming practices or on development. We answered these concerns at local information evenings in locations throughout the Burren and printed information leaflets, which were posted to every house in North Clare. We also had a weekly Geopark Journal in this newspaper [Clare Champion], which ran for about five months,” recalled Carol.
“Geopark status is not statutory, it cannot add restrictions. It relies on existing national and EU designations and the County Development Plan to provide the necessary conservation of landscape. The main focus of Geopark status is to promote sustainable development that is in everyone’s best interest; it blends care of the landscape with the economic and social well-being of the local population.
“It also does not mean that there is public access to all parts of the Burren. Only those places that are in public ownership and where agreements with landowners and public liability cover are in place will be promoted as Geopark locations,” she continued.
In September, Burren Connect was told that its application was successful and the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher had achieved Geopark status. The status is “a voluntary, quality label and while it is not a legislative designation, the key heritage sites within a Geopark should be protected under local, regional or national legislation as appropriate”.
As well as being a brand, it allows greater integration and sharing of information among the European Geoparks Network.
“You have to attend meetings and you can develop collaborative projects together, which can teach you how to do certain things better in terms of conservation or tourism and so on. There are Geoparks that are like ours and there are others who are further along in their experience of environmental and tourism development and they can offer advice and can group together to get EU funding to do different types of projects.
“You are part of this European and global network of like-minded places that are operating at the same level as we strive to operate on,” Carol explained.
For those doing business in the Burren, Geopark status not only provides a type of environmental awareness label but also opens the door to national and international markets and growing numbers of ecotourists.
“Geoparks promote sustainable tourism development, so those businesses who have good environmental practices in waste, water and energy management, who promote local food and produce, who employ local people, who provide good quality information on the Burren and who provide interesting and enjoyable ways of exploring the Burren to their customers will be able to use the Geopark label in marketing their business,” Carol outlined.
“Geopark status sends out a clear message that Burren businesses care about and are proud of their environment, landscape, food, crafts, heritage and culture. It’s a very attractive package for any visitor.
“The European Geoparks Network has almost 50 geoparks working to promote each other and their profiles are increasing every year. Burren businesses can tap into these regions as potential markets.
“Sustainable tourism and ecotourism destinations are becoming increasingly popular. It’s a part of the tourism industry that is growing by 15% to 20% annually, so this is a good opportunity to avail of a growing market. It’s a very good opportunity for businesses to get involved in protecting this wonderful resource for future generations,” she continued.
According to Carol, achieving the status has a positive impact on the area, both financially and environmentally, and this is shown in the experience of other areas in the Geopark network.
“European Geoparks have seen an increase in farm tourism, in educational tourism and in local produce development. Some geoparks have more success than others and this depends on how well the status is managed and how local communities and businesses use it. The European Geoparks Network also provides opportunities for accessing funding through EU programmes.
“I hope that the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark will be a driver for further developments with the Burren Ecotourism Network, for example, with the Farm Heritage Tours Co-Op, with developing local heritage trails and encouraging economic spin-off from these, with increasing public events developed with the visitor centres and educational centres, with supporting educational programmes, better interpretative signage and publications and with encouraging businesses to use local food and local crafts,” she outlined.
Getting Geopark recognition, Carol believes, can only be a positive thing but its success relies on its support.
“I think the biggest challenge is to encourage local communities to see it as an opportunity. The status is assessed by the European Geoparks Network every four years. If it is not working well in the Burren it will be withdrawn. We have to put time and effort into it to make it work. So far, we have not anticipated any drawbacks, and we have a few years to see if any emerge,” Carol concluded.