UNESCO global geoparks
Geoparks are areas of exceptional geological significance that promote awareness of the earth's geological heritage.
They foster respect for the environment and for the integrity of natural landscapes.
Ireland has three Geoparks: The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, The Copper Coast Global Geopark, and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark.
Global Geoparks Network
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark
- Global Geopark Network Designated Year: 2011
- UNESCO Global Geopark Designated Year: 2015
Located on the west coast of Ireland, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark has an area of 530 km2, it is bounded by Atlantic coastal cliffs (10-200 m high) to the west, the Gort lowlands to the East and by low hilly terrain to the south.
Much of the land is at an elevation of 100 m-200 m above sea-level; the highest point is Slieve Elva at 344 m.
The area of limestone which comprises most of the UNESCO Global Geopark has few rivers and only one (Caher River) which flows its entire length over ground.
- Global Geopark Network Designated Year: 2004
- UNESCO Global Geopark Designated Year: 2015
The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark is located on the south east coast of Ireland, between Tramore and Dungarvan in County Waterford. To the north lie the Comeragh Mountains which reach a height of 750 m.
The area is a relatively flat lying glacial outwash plain, much covered by glacial till and bog, with occasional spectacular erratics. Three roughly N-S rivers dissect the UNESCO Global Geopark and display excellent examples of glacial erosion and deposition (an excellent walk follows the Ann river starting at Annestown).
The coast is spectacular with numerous sandy and rocky coves displaying sea stacks, arches and blow holes.
The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark
- Global Geopark Network Designated Year: 2004
- UNESCO Global Geopark Designated Year: 2015
The Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark is the World’s first UNESCO Global Geopark crossing an international border. It lies in the north-west corner of the island of Ireland, much of it is in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom and a sizeable remainder is in County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland.
The region displays a classic, glaciated landscape comprising of extensive uplands that have been smoothed down by successive ice sheets.
The uplands are intersected by broad u-shaped valleys that sweep down to the surrounding lowlands where numerous lakes have formed in glacial hollows and swarms of drumlins form many egg-shaped, rounded hills.
The uplands contain extensive areas of forest, blanket bog and karst where the underlying limestone has been carved out by the abundant rainfall to form significant caves systems including the world famous Marble Arch Caves.