The Mám éan Geotrail at the ancient pass crossing the Maumturks was commissioned by Joyce Country and Western Lakes GeoEnterprise, funded by Geological Survey Ireland GeoHeritage grant and produced by the JCWL Geopark in partnership with NPWS and county Galway RRO. It consist of 3 panels, two at either side of the pass and one at the col. These panels explore the geological links between the west of Ireland and north eastern America and the geotrail formed the basis for the inclusion of the whole Western Way national trail into the International Appalachian trail. The official launch of the Mám Éan Geotrail will take place on Friday 19 January at Ionad Pobail an Mháma from 7 to 9pm. This guided walk will be led by Benjamin Thébaudeau, JCWL geopark geologist, and two experts on the natural heritage of the area:

• Brian McConnell, retired Principal Geologist at Geological Survey Ireland,
• Carole Reynolds, education officer at the Connemara National Park.

A bus will pick up participants at the Ionad Pobail an Mháma (H91P29P) at 10am to drop them at the start of the geotrail on the Maam side. The pick up will then be on the Inagh side 2.5 hours later to bring people back to their cars in Maam. Please note: there is strictly a No Dogs policy on the Western Way, as the trail crosses active farmland and no dogs will be allowed on the guided walk.

This event is free and open to all but registration using the following link is necessary due to limited spaces on the bus: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/780854144767/