€6m boost for cross-border tourism welcomed

Shared Island funding to develop Geopark trail network and link destination tourism attractions

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council Cllr TP O’Reilly has hailed the announcement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin of a €6m investment in developing the trail network in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, linking trails north and south of the border between Cavan and Fermanagh.

The funding, being delivered through the Shared Destinations theme of the Shared Island Fund, will enhance and further connect the regional tourism offering across the cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark.

The plans will see the trail network enhanced to provide connectively between key tourism attractions in the Geopark. Trail development will include interpretation, wayfinding and infrastructure. A new community-based interpretative centre will also be developed in Glangevlin.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr TP O’Reilly welcomed the investment, saying “This is excellent news for Cavan and the border region. The Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark was the world’s first cross-border Geopark and Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have established an excellent working relationship since they began jointly managing the Geopark in 2008. This welcome investment in the region will further enhance its reputation as one of the island’s most scenic and enchanting landscapes”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle said, “This funding comes at a tremendously exciting time for the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, with work advancing on two major capital projects in the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre and the Cavan Burren Park enhancement project. These are two flagship tourism developments, which will be enhanced and complemented by this significant investment through the Shared Island Fund”.

“With Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark already well-established as a must-visit destination on this island, these latest developments will make this region a world leader in sustainable tourism,” added Mr Doyle.

Cavan County Council Director of Service for Planning, Community, and Economic Development, Brendan Jennings, said the foundation for this funding announcement had been laid by the development of a masterplan for the region: “The origins of this exciting development can be traced back to September 2022, when Cavan County Council received €150,000 through the Shared Island Fund to undertake a Cross-Border Masterplan for Cuilcagh”.

“This joint venture, which also included Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark Ambassadors, and the Geopark Business Network, explored how we could sustainably realise the conservation, tourism, recreational and natural value of this shared landscape, and helped lay the foundation for this exciting announcement. I’d like to thank all of the Masterplan partners, the local communities, and our elected representatives, who’ve helped bring us to this point,” added Mr Jennings.

Welcoming the investment, Paul Keeley, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland said “This significant investment announced for County Cavan is a positive step in further unlocking the untapped tourism potential that exists in the border region. We look forward to working with Cavan County Council to realise these exciting plans which will sustainably strengthen the tourism offering in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, making it more attractive for visitors, and providing economic and employment benefits to the local community.

The project will be overseen, developed and delivered by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Cavan County Council, and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

For more information on Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, visit www.cuilcaghlakelands.org.