WHO/WHAT
Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) GeoEnterprise is the cross-community organisation (Company Limited by Guarantee) that represents and promotes all communities of the geopark from the 17 villages and 3 towns in the 1500km2 Geopark area in county Galway and county Mayo. Its primary aim for the Geopark to achieve its UNESCO Global Geopark status and retain it, recognising the amazing opportunities such a status would offer the local communities in terms of their sustainable development.
The organisation is composed of 7 directors and a number of ordinary members from the various communities of the geopark. Some members of JCWL GeoEnterprise were the general impetus behind the creation of a geopark in this region and have worked as volunteers for 15 years to promote it (the organisation was formerly created in 2018). See below the name of the directors and their role:
- Trish Walsh (chair)
- Gearóidín Ní Ghrúinél (secretary/treasurer)
- Yvonne Finn
- Bríd Burke
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You can also consult JCWL GeoEnterprise constitution here.
What does JCWL GeoEnterprise do
The JCWL GeoEnterprise chair sits on the governance structure of the JCWL Geopark on the Operation Management Group (OMG) meeting monthly and on the Coiste Treorach meeting quarterly. It works closely with the Geopark team and its 20 community representatives as well as the current Geopark host organisation, Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo.
The organisation also raises funds from local philanthropic sources (namely Monaghan Mushrooms in Tourmakeady and Notre Dame University with their international campus at Kylemore Abbey) and from specific sources for events or projects. A large portion of these funds has been used to help bolster the Geopark budget in recent years. The rest was used to develop infrastructure or organise events linked with local heritage.
In particular, JCWL GeoEnterprise has developed the Mám Éan Geotrail in 2022/2023 (launched in January 2024) in partnership with the Geopark team, Forum Connemara and the local communities which has allowed the Western Way national trail to become a part of the International Appalachian Trail. It has also produced a number of videos on local vernacular heritage of the communities in Finny, Partry, Ballinrobe and The Neale. More recently, it organised the first edition of the Stone Mad storytelling festival in the geopark area in October 2024.
In 2024, JCWL GeoEnterprise has developed 3 subcommittees to work strategically on specific issues for the communities. See below their name and the GeoEnterprise member leading them:
- New Enterprise development (Joe Greaney from the Neale)
- Environment, biodiversity and climate action (Deirdre and Greg Forde from Oughterard)
- Heritage promotion (Marian McHugh from Cong)
A strategic action plan for 2025 is also under preparation and will be posted here when approved.
How to get involved
If you or your local organisation wish to become a member or get involved with the governance of the Geopark and the activities of JCWL GeoEnterprise, contact the organisation directly at the following email address: [email protected]
The upcoming JCWL Geopark community forum organised in partnership with JCWL GeoEnterprise will take place in summer 2025.
If you or your local organisation wish to help the organisation financially, you can contact its treasurer at :
Finally, you can follow JCWL GeoEnterprise on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok) at @JCWLGeoEnterprise
