The Geopark Academy 2024 runs from 25–26 May at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan.
The geological, historical, ecological and potential tourism developments of the Burren region of Co. Clare will be the central focus of a two-day event scheduled for 25 and 26 May as part of European Geoparks Network Week.
The Geopark Academy 2024 will feature presentations by academics and local experts, as well as a field trip to several of the Burren’s best-known archaeological and built heritage sites.
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The event, organized by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, will take place at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. The world-renowned independent college specializing in undergraduate and graduate fine art education is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Themes to be addressed at the Geopark Academy 2024 include the transformation of the landscape and geology of the Burren over time and the history of human settlement within the region. The multi-disciplinary event also aims to examine how visitor studies can inform efforts to establish Clare as Ireland’s first county-wide certified sustainable tourism destination.
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On Sunday, 26 May, there will be a guided minibus and walking tour of the medieval sites of Kilfenora Church, Leamaneh Castle, Killinaboy Church, Corofin and Dysert O’Dea Castle led by local experts Edel Barry, Frank O’Grady, Tom Keating and Risteárd Ua Cróinín.
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The Geopark Academy 2024 seeks to connect the latest research on the unique landscape of the Burren with the local community, thereby fostering greater engagement and understanding locally. Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, explains:
“One of the primary objectives of the Geopark Academy is to further increase engagement between the public, researchers, geologists and members of academia on how the Burren was formed and has evolved over millions of years, and how this unique landscape presents future opportunities for the communities that live there.
The Burren is a remarkable limestone area. Its geology, flora, caves, archaeology, history and farming traditions set it apart as a place of great mystery and beauty. Arctic and Alpine flowers grow alongside Mediterranean species and there are over 2,700 recorded monuments, some dating back over 6,000 years.”
The Geopark Academy 2024 will be opened on Saturday, 25 May, by Dr Eamon Doyle, a geologist with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, who will speak about his recent discoveries, including an extraordinary new species of fossil sponge, which he found in limestone rock at Doolin.
The roster of speakers throughout the rest of the day features representatives from the University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University Sligo, Trinity College Dublin, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and Mary Immaculate College / University of Limerick, as well as locally based ecologists, artists and other experts.
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Dr Catherine Dalton will reflect on the past, present and future of Ireland’s lakes, while Felim O’Toole will discuss INFOMAR – a groundbreaking seabed mapping project that has conducted surveys off the coast of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Well-known archaeologist Michael Lynch will provide an update on the ongoing excavations of the Mesolithic stone axe manufacturing site at Doolin and Fiona McKenna will speak about how monitoring tourism activity in Clare helps inform sustainable destination planning. Tejasvi Shah, Maia Shelby Hay, Matilda Krulder, Dr Lara Cassidy, Enda Gallery and Dr John Murray will also be giving talks.
The full programme of events can be found here. Due to limited spaces, booking is essential for the Geopark Academy 2024 for either or both days. Email info@burrengeopark.ie for more information.
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