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Tánaiste Micheál Martin today announced an agreement by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to purchase almost 1000 hectares of upland habitat in Co Cavan as part of the world’s first cross-border Geopark.
The site, near Cuilcagh Mountain in County Cavan, will be managed to help the State meet its nature and biodiversity action plans, and significantly benefit the work of the Geopark.
Announcing the acquisition plans on a visit to the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark today, Tánaiste, Micheál Martin said:
“Given the unique conservation value and remarkable concentration of upland habitats and species at this site, I am very pleased to announce that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has reached an agreement to purchase almost a 1000 hectares of land, which will allow them, and Cavan County Council, to support the aims of the Geopark, and protect the nature and biodiversity that is such a remarkable characteristic of this area.
“Through the government’s Shared Island Local Authority scheme, we are supporting development of a Cuilcagh Lakelands GeoPark plan for biodiversity conservation, climate action and regenerative tourism.
“I look forward to seeing that work completed later this year and to a deepening cross-border partnership on the Geopark, for the benefit of communities in this unique cross-border landscape.
“Ownership of these lands on behalf of the Irish people will enhance important cross-border initiatives by local authorities and communities, and provide an unrivalled opportunity for the conservation of an exceptional range of protected upland habitat and species, thereby making a significant contribution toward the State's obligations in nature protection and biodiversity.”
Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall Ó Donnchú, said:
“I am delighted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is partnering with Cavan County Council to deliver significant benefits for nature and communities in the Cuilcagh Lakelands area. The wonderful teams at the Geopark and the two local authorities in Cavan and Fermanagh, combined with the expertise and experience of the NPWS North Midlands Division, will be a powerful combination ensuring this landscape of such outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity is managed and shared for the benefit of the public and local communities for generations to come.”
Extending from Co. Cavan across the Northern Ireland border in Co. Fermanagh, Cuilcagh mountain and its surroundings are ecologically important and unique because of the extent and variety of upland habitats that occur and the species that these habitats support. A region of extraordinary natural beauty, the Geopark has huge potential as a venue for education, recreation, outreach and appreciation of the value of nature and biodiversity.
Jointly managed by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council, the Geopark aims to facilitate strong cross-border cooperation and management and allow for the development and nurturing of positive cultural links, integrated ways of working and collaborative and collective planning and decision-making for the future.
Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark’s mission is to nurture and protect the local area to ensure it provides a solid social, environmental and economic platform for the surrounding communities enabling them to live in balance with their surroundings.
Cuilcagh Mountain is situated in a large upland site extending from Co. Cavan across the Northern Ireland border into Co Fermanagh. The site is ecologically unique because of the extent and variety of upland habitats that occur there, and the species that these habitats support. The principal habitat type is upland blanket bog, although a wide range of habitats and species occur, and much of the site is protected under European law as part of the Natura 2000 network of Special Areas of Conservation.
Cuilcagh Mountain itself is in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the Republic of Ireland (Cuilcagh-Anierin Upland SAC) and is also a protected site in Northern Ireland (Cuilcagh Mountain SAC). These are both within the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, and of international significance in both geographic and ecological terms.
Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark is 2,333 km2 in size and lies within the counties of Cavan and Fermanagh. It is the world’s first cross-border Geopark, which straddles not only the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but now also the border between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The two governing councils, Cavan County Council and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, have come together to form a dedicated cross-border Geopark team and centralised Geopark Office under the management of a newly-appointed Geopark Manager.
The Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is one of 147 members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Networks across 41 countries. The core activity of the Geopark is in managing the environment and habitats ensuring the site works well.
The Councils have jointly developed a 10 year plan, hoping to foster and develop strong cross-border cooperation links in the management of the site. They believe there is scope for a more proactive approach to ensuring the conservation and protection of the natural environment and fostering conservation-focused collaborations and partnerships, including aligning the conservation and tourism pillars and working towards the possibility of becoming a Carbon Neutral Destination and a leading Geopark in the Climate Action Field.