{"id":7256,"date":"2025-08-11T10:24:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T10:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/?page_id=7256"},"modified":"2025-08-12T13:21:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T13:21:58","slug":"geopark-governance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/en\/geopark-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Geopark governance"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><section class=\"vc_section\"><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1597317250453 row-contains-padding-top row-contains-padding-bottom liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fdbff48\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fdc0093\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><div data-custom-animations=\"true\" data-ca-options='{\"triggerHandler\":\"inview\",\"animationTarget\":\".wpb_column\",\"duration\":700,\"delay\":100,\"easing\":\"easeOutQuint\",\"direction\":\"forward\",\"initValues\":[],\"animations\":[]}' class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1600773241033 liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fdc022c vc_column-gap-35 vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6 liquid-column-69dec5fdc03f4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2>HOW DOES<br \/>\nTHE GEOPARK<br \/>\nOPERATE ?<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdc04b5{height:50px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdc04b5\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Our Geopark is guided by governance principles set out by key stakeholders and partners and described in detail in our <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Management-Master-Plan-JCWL-Geopark-2022-2028.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Management Master Plan<\/a>. It sets out an effective way of addressing various social and economic needs of the Geopark&#8217;s local <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/ourcommunity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">communities<\/a>, helping preserve and enhance their cultural identity and protecting the landscape they live in.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6 liquid-column-69dec5fdc06ca\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fdd14d0\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"551\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 1024 723&#039;%2F&gt;\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-large ld-lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"Master plan launch - outdoors\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MG_1838-1024x723.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MG_1838-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MG_1838-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MG_1838-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MG_1838.jpg 1500w\" data-aspect=\"1.4163208852006\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fdd1656\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fdd1844\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdd18cd{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdd18cd\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h4>Our mission<\/h4>\n<p>Through achievement of UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes region, the communities, businesses and education providers in the area will be empowered to better inform about its attractions, promote the use of the Irish language and draw more visitors to experience in a sustainable way its rich geological, historical, cultural and environmental features, resulting in more confident and resilient local communities, enterprise and jobs.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Our objective<\/h4>\n<p align=\"left\">Achieve and retain UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes region, thereby helping the communities, businesses, education and other service providers of the area to build confidence about enhancing and sustaining their livelihoods in the medium- to long-term.<\/p>\n<h4 align=\"left\">Our priority development themes<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Governance and Management<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintain the JCWL Geopark governance and management structure and resources, and manage and co-ordinate activities<\/li>\n<li>Be a voice for geosites and other themes and\/or sites with links to the geological heritage (archaeological, ecological, historical and cultural) to be priorities within the development plans of state bodies and interest groups for sustainable development<\/li>\n<li>Work within the European Geoparks Network and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network to further the networks\u2019 advance and cohesion in partnership with other European and global geoparks. Also liaise with other UGG-designated territories on the island of Ireland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Site conservation and sustainable environment<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Facilitate the protection and enhancement of geosites, biodiversity and the natural environment for improving and sustaining quality of life<\/li>\n<li>Empower host, business and visitor responsibility around the use of resources, behaviour in the landscape and engagement with the community<\/li>\n<li>Encourage research into methods for the sustainable management of JCWL geosites and share best practice with other sites in Ireland and abroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Geoeducation and geotourism<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Work with the tourism sector to actively promote economic development through the enhancement of tourism activities linked to the geological heritage<\/li>\n<li>Create tools and resources that empower businesses and communities to use access to Gaeilge (the Irish language), Gaeltacht and Geology as key selling points<\/li>\n<li>Encourage and enable access to geosites where this can be achieved sustainably for the benefit of individuals and the wider community<\/li>\n<li>Support and develop wide-reaching community-based educational and interpretation programmes concerning geosites and the geological heritage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Find out more on our actions<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/learning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/our-heritage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Information provision<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/calendar-of-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/business-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business network<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdd19af{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdd19af\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fdd1afa\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6 liquid-column-69dec5fdd1c94\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdd1cd7{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdd1cd7\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fde1c4b\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1411\" height=\"1202\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 1411 1202&#039;%2F&gt;\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full ld-lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"organogram layout 2025\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1411px) 100vw, 1411px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Aguisin-1_organogram-layout-2025.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Aguisin-1_organogram-layout-2025.png 1411w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Aguisin-1_organogram-layout-2025-300x256.png 300w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Aguisin-1_organogram-layout-2025-1024x872.png 1024w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Aguisin-1_organogram-layout-2025-14x12.png 14w\" data-aspect=\"1.1738768718802\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6 liquid-column-69dec5fde1e70\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><b>Our organisation<\/b><\/h4>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdsteo.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comharchumann Dh\u00faiche Sheoighach<\/a> (CDS) is a cooperative set-up in the 1970s in the Joyce Country Gaeltacht and is located beside the village of Corr na M\u00f3na. It is the <strong>host organisation<\/strong> of the geopark and the employer of all geopark staff.<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><strong>Core funding<\/strong> for the employment of staff, office management and basic operational costs is provided by the four Funding Partners (<a href=\"https:\/\/udaras.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsi.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Geological Survey Ireland<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayo.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mayo County Council<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.galway.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Galway County Council<\/a>). This funding is agreed in principle but is subject to annual approval by Funding Partners, and for annual in-kind support. Additional funds from Funding Partners and other national and European Union support schemes are also sought to either supplement the core budget or for specific projects. Additional funds have also been supplied by the cross-community voluntary group <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/jcwl-geoenterprise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JCWL GeoEnterprise<\/a> thanks to their philanthropic partnerships.<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">The <strong>Funding Partners Committee<\/strong> meets up to 4 times per year to agree funding and procurement procedures and approve overall budget and annual work plans. Core annual funding for the Geopark has risen from \u20ac150,000 in 2022 to within a range of \u20ac160,000 to \u20ac175,000 by 2025. The budget is spent in average as follows; 75% on staff salaries, 5% on other office overheads, 15% on networking, tourism &amp; marketing and travel and another 5% on miscellaneous.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><strong>Members of the Funding Partners Committee:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Geological Survey Ireland Director<\/li>\n<li>Geological Survey Ireland Senior Geologist in charge of GeoHeritage<\/li>\n<li>\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta Sti\u00farth\u00f3ir (Director, Regional Development &amp; Language)<\/li>\n<li>\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta Tourism Development Manager<\/li>\n<li>Galway County Council Director of Services<\/li>\n<li>Galway County Council Heritage Officer<\/li>\n<li>Mayo County Council Director of Services<\/li>\n<li>Mayo County Council Heritage Officer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fde1f90{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fde1f90\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>The <strong>Coiste Treorach<\/strong> (steering committee) is the advisory group where the Funding Partners, associate partners and local communities are represented. The <strong>associate partners<\/strong> are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.failteireland.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">F\u00e1ilte Ireland<\/a> (Ireland&#8217;s tourism agency), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npws.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Parks and Wildlife Service<\/a> (Ireland&#8217;s statutory body for the designation and protection of natural areas), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coillte.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coillte<\/a> (Ireland&#8217;s forestry agency and a major landowner in the Geopark region) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheriesireland.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inland Fisheries Ireland<\/a> (the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland&#8217;s inland fisheries and sea angling resources). The group meets four times per year to hear reports from the Geopark staff, approve draft\/interim work plans and provide direction and advice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Members of the Coiste Treorach<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comharchumann Dh\u00faiche Sheoigheach Teo Bainisteoir<\/li>\n<li>\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta Tourism Development Manager<\/li>\n<li>\u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta Head of Regional Development (West)<\/li>\n<li>Geological Survey Ireland Senior Geologist in charge of GeoHeritage<\/li>\n<li>Galway County Council Heritage Officer<\/li>\n<li>Mayo County Council Heritage Officer<\/li>\n<li>F\u00e1ilte Ireland Wild Atlantic Way Officer for Connemara and the Islands<\/li>\n<li>National Parks and Wildlife Services Regional Manager for Co. Mayo and west Co. Galway<\/li>\n<li>Coillte Estates Manager for Co. Mayo<\/li>\n<li>JCWL GeoEnterprise chair &#8211; Trish Walsh<\/li>\n<li>Coiste Foirbeatha Thuar Mhic \u00c9adaigh Bainisteoir &#8211; Nora McHugh King<\/li>\n<li>Br\u00edd Burke &#8211; business representative<\/li>\n<li>Tom Halloran &#8211; farmer representative<\/li>\n<li>Marianne Shine &#8211; community representative<\/li>\n<li>Joe Greaney &#8211; community representative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More details on our <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Management-Master-Plan-JCWL-Geopark-2022-2028.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Management Master Plan<\/a> with annexes downloadable <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Management-Master-Plan-2022-2028-annexes.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our Child Safeguarding Statement<\/p>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/JCWL-Geopark-Privacy-Notice-Oct-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Privacy Statement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fde204d{height:50px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fde204d\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fde217e\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fde2260\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h4>Our Team<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fde22f6{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fde22f6\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fde23ea\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fde258b\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Michael Hegarty &#8211; Geopark manager<\/p>\n<p>Michael has been the manager of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark since 2020 and lives and works in Tourmakeady, County Mayo.\u00a0He is a member of the cross-community group JCWL GeoEnterprise and was lead proposal writer for the successful award of geopark funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), a project also supported by Geological Survey Ireland, Galway and Mayo Country Councils, \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta, Coillte and F\u00e1ilte Ireland. The RRDF project (2020-2021) prepared the way for the application\u00a0for UNESCO Global Geopark status in November 2022.\u00a0 Michael is deeply involved in voluntary community development in Tourmakeady, in particular the Sustainable Energy Community and the coiste pobail. He has an MSc Rural Development (UCD) and 20+ years\u2019 experience of planning and implementing rural development programmes across the EU and in emerging economies. He is also a previous General Manager of the Irish Bioenergy Association focused on low carbon energy.<\/p>\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:manager@jcwlgeopark.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">manager@jcwlgeopark.ie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fde275a\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fde2795{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fde2795\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fdf0d74\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 231 300&#039;%2F&gt;\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-medium ld-lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"Crossroads TF6_MH portrait\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crossroads-TF6_MH-portrait-231x300.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crossroads-TF6_MH-portrait-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crossroads-TF6_MH-portrait-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crossroads-TF6_MH-portrait.jpg 239w\" data-aspect=\"0.77\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdf0dda{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdf0dda\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fdf0f4e\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fdf1115\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p align=\"left\">Dr Benjamin Th\u00e9baudeau &#8211; Geopark geologist<\/p>\n<p>Benjamin has been the geopark geologist since 2018. He has a background in Physics, a MSc in Geophysics and completed a PhD in 2013 at the department of Geology of Trinity College Dublin. He has worked as a geophysicist in archaeology for 2 years, a consultant geologist and postdoctoral fellow in the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) for 2.5 years, then as Senior Technical Officer in the University of Galway for 1.5 years. He recently completed a Diploma sa Ghaeilge in the Tuar Mhic \u00c9adaigh Gaeltacht. His current post in the project has to do with the telling of the geological story as well as linking it to the wider heritage of the region. Beside the production of outreach and education resources both printed and digital, he is also visiting schools, partnering with universities and delivering presentations to local interest groups in the wider area. Part of the current education offering from the JCWL geopark is a Geopark Ambassador course, consisting of 2 lectures and 1 fieldtrip that Benjamin delivers.<\/p>\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:geologist@jcwlgeopark.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geologist@jcwlgeopark.ie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fdf1345\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fdf1381{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fdf1381\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fe0cc70\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 229 300&#039;%2F&gt;\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-medium ld-lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"Ben\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ben-229x300.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ben-229x300.png 229w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ben-781x1024.png 781w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ben-9x12.png 9w, https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ben.png 866w\" data-aspect=\"0.76333333333333\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0cda3\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fe0cee9\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0cf3e{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0cf3e\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0d084\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fe0d20f\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p align=\"left\">Dominic \u00d3 M\u00f3r\u00e1n &#8211; Geopark tourism officer<\/p>\n<p>Dominic is the Tourism Development Officer with Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark since 2020. Dominic\u2019s role includes organising training for both community and business networks in the Geopark region and support tourism initiatives that complement the Geopark. Dominic has a Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management (GMIT now ATU) and many years of experience in the tourism sector. He has been General Manager of Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel (Recess, Co Galway) since 2001. He is Chair of the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland \u2013 a collective marketing group for 10 country house hotels with fly fishing facilities on site. This group has worked closely with Tourism Ireland and overseas tourism groups to promote fly fishing in Ireland. Dominic is an integral part of another innovative tourism team working with Failt\u00e9 Ireland for development of the Connemara Coast and Aran Islands \u2018Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP)\u2019. He is co-chair of the Connemara and Aran Islands Tourism network that is tasked with the implementation of the VEDP. Dominic is an advocate for and participant in sustainable community-led tourism initiatives in the West of Ireland.<\/p>\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:tourism@jcwlgeopark.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tourism@jcwlgeopark.ie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fe0d400\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d43a{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d43a\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fe0d578\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vc_single_image-img \" src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Dominic-headshot-231x240.png\" width=\"231\" height=\"240\" alt=\"Dominic headshot\" title=\"Dominic headshot\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0d64b\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fe0d737\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d775{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d775\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>The following are not members of the Geopark staff but are strongly involved in the operation through the Operation Management Group (OMG).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d7f8{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0d7f8\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0d8fa\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fe0da95\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Miche\u00e1l \u00c9inni\u00fa &#8211; CDS Bainisteoir<\/p>\n<p>Miche\u00e1l is a native of &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Email: eolas.cdst@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fe0dc5d\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0dc98{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0dc98\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fe0ddad\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vc_single_image-img \" src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Richard-Watson-ppt-Micheal-Einniu.jpg\" width=\"159\" height=\"184\" alt=\"Miche\u00e1l \u00c9inni\u00fa\" title=\"Miche\u00e1l \u00c9inni\u00fa\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0de7f\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fe0df54\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0df98{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0df98\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0e081\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fe0e1f5\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p align=\"left\">Meadbh Seoighe &#8211; \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta Tourism Development Officer<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Meadbh has a &#8230;<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Email: meadbh.seoighe@udaras.ie<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fe0e3d1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0e40c{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0e40c\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fe0e523\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vc_single_image-img \" src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crossroads-TF_Meadbh-portrait.jpg\" width=\"217\" height=\"275\" alt=\"At the Communities Event during the assesment of Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark by evaluators from UNESCO Global Geoparks, pictured were:Left to right:Meadbh Seoighe(Uder\u00e1s na Gaeltachta), Collr.Thomas Welby(Galway Co Council), Mich\u00e9al \u00d3 Cinneide(Corrib Beo), Trish Walsh(Chairperson GEO Enterprise and Petersburg), Joe Greaney(Heritage Officer The Neale).       Pic:Trish Forde.\" title=\"Crossroads TF_Meadbh portrait\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0e5db\"><div class=\"ld-container container\"><div class=\"row ld-row\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 liquid-column-69dec5fe0e6d4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"   ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0e714{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0e714\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid liquid-row-shadowbox-69dec5fe0e802\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 liquid-column-69dec5fe0e970\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p align=\"left\">Trish Walsh &#8211; JCWL GeoEnterprise Chairperson<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Trish has been the Director of Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre which operates under Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board until her retirement in late 2024. She has been a strong advocate for a Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark since 2009. She is Chairperson of JCWL GeoEnterprise which was formed to represent the community interests in the geopark region. She believes that UNESCO Global Geoparks are a great model for rural development, using geology and heritage to promote sustainable enterprises, developing strong vibrant communities and helping build resilience in people. Trish has skills and qualifications in adventure sports and 35+ years\u2019 experience in outdoor education. Her widespread interests in landscape history and development include geology, geography, botany, soils, ecology, archaeology, heritage and social history. She has a Masters in landscape history and her multi-disciplinary approach makes for very interesting lectures and field trips. Her well-regarded \u2018History of Ireland\u2019, is a whistle stop tour of Ireland from its geological heritage, arrival of people on the landscape, prehistory and history that enables students to grasp the uniqueness, complexity and fascinating story of Ireland today. She is also a member of the Comhailre na Tuaithe, a body set up by the Department of Rural and Community development in 2004 to advise the government on the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Email: <a href=\"mailto:trishwalsh8@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trishwalsh8@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 liquid-column-69dec5fe0eb4e\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper \"  ><div class=\"wpb_wrapper-inner\"><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0eb88{height:30px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0eb88\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  liquid_vc_single_image-69dec5fe0eca7\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vc_single_image-img \" src=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pic-Trish-231x240.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"240\" alt=\"pic Trish\" title=\"pic Trish\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style>.ld_spacer_69dec5fe0ece6{height:100px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69dec5fe0ece6\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOW DOES THE GEOPARK OPERATE ? Our Geopark is guided by governance principles set out...","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6927,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7256","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Geopark governance &#8212; Joyce Country &amp; Western Lakes Geopark Project<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Information on Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark partners, governance and funding with information on the team.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie\/en\/geopark-governance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Geopark governance &#8212; 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