Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark celebrates achievements of Local Tour Guides

Cavan-Monaghan LEADER provided funding for 16 participants to complete a Local Geopark Tour Guides course which was based in West Cavan. The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark recently held an event at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre to acknowledge the achievements of the individuals whom had successfully completed the training programme.

Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is an area of exceptional geological heritage in West Fermanagh and West Cavan. However, Geoparks are not just about geology, there are many sites included within the Geopark that are steeped in wildlife, history, archaeology or culture as all of these elements are intricately linked with the underlying geology of an area.

The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark Local Tour Guides under the guidance of Travel and Tourism Consult International (TTC), undertook comprehensive training on various aspects of the Geopark including geology, archaeology and biodiversity, and participated in practical sessions to develop the skills set required to become effective and efficient Geopark Tour Guides.

Councillor Peter McVitty, an elected member of Cavan County Council and Chairman of the Geopark’s Joint Operational Committee stated ‘The Geopark is extremely important to the tourism industry of Fermanagh and Cavan and is an excellent example of cross-border co-operation between Fermanagh District Council and Cavan County Council. The Geopark is committed to high quality standards in terms of service delivery and we recognise the role the Geopark Tour Guides will play in maintaining these high standards’

John Toland, Development Officer, Cavan-Monaghan LEADER (CML) praised the participants of the local tour guide course for their commitment to promoting and working with the Geopark for the mutual benefit of all that live in the area. See an excellent group photograph of all Local Geopark Tour Guides and representatives of the two local authorities and CML.

In photograph;Back row; left to right; Martina Magee – Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark (MACGG), John Toland – Cavan-Monaghan LEADER, Kieran Swail – TTC, Andrew King, Desmond Gough, James Millar & Oliver Brady - Geopark Guides, Anke Morgonroth – Bear Essentials, Bawnboy, Margaret McCauley, Aidan Brady & Margaret Hopkins – Geopark Guides, Cllr Bernice Swift – Geopark Joint Committee.
Front row; left to right; Jim Nolan and Barbara Smith – Geopark Guides, Cllr Thomas O’Reilly, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council, Cllr Peter McVitty, Chairman Joint Operational Committee, Cllr Sean McKiernan, Chairman Cavan County Council, Richard Watson – Manager MACGG, Heather Bothwell & Sean Cassidy – Geopark Guides.