Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark Communities Participate in a Tourism Learning Exchange with Ballyhoura Country

Representatives from community organisations and tourism businesses located in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark received a red carpet welcome as they visited the Ballyhoura region in Limerick and Cork on a tourism learning exchange.
The focus of this trip and the wider collaboration between Ballyhoura Development CLG, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council, is to facilitate learning exchanges between tourism and social enterprise businesses in both regions, exploring themes and best practice examples of sustainable and regenerative tourism to enhance the tourism destinations of Ballyhoura Country and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.
The project was facilitated by Runda Hospitality and Tourism Solutions, who is developing a sustainable tourism communities’ framework to benefit both regions and support their continued growth. As both Ballyhoura Country and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark are located at opposite ends of Failte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand, this collaboration strengthens the shared ethos of sustainable and regenerative tourism and fosters working relationships among businesses involved on an all-island basis.
During this trip, which took place in March, delegates from Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark visited various communities, including Mitchelstown, Doneraile, Charleville, Kilfinane, Kilmallock, and Lough Gur, as well as several businesses and community groups throughout the region.
Gráinne O’Connor, Manager of Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark said, “The learning journey provided invaluable insights into community driven tourism initiatives. Our tourism and community representatives gained a deeper understanding of how empowering local communities can enhance the tourism experience. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Ballyhoura Region as we foster our shared learning and collaborative growth”.
Amanda Slattery, Ballyhoura Development Manager, stated, “the Shared Island Civic Society Fund has allowed us to explore and deepen our relationship with the team at Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and co develop a strong project for both regions, this deepens our North South links through the development of sustainable cross-border civic relationships that can enhance tourism visibility and cooperation under the Failte Irelands’ Hidden Heartlands brand proposition for community and business beneficiaries.”
This collaboration is made possible by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs.