Write a commentLast weeks highly successful Geotourism EXPO2014 brought hundreds of delegates to a series of events in Newry and the Mourne Cooley Gullion region.
The EXPO was designed to celebrate and promote the tourism potential of the Mourne Mountains, Ring of Gullion and Cooley Peninsula region and was hosted by Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism. The project is part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-Border Programme.
The event was hosted at the Canal Court Hotel and Bellurgan Park.
Mr Danny Kennedy, Minister for Regional Development and Cllr Dáire Hughes, the new Mayor of Newry and Mourne, both highlighted the significant potential for tourism growth across the region when they launched the EXPO at a special lunchtime gathering at the Canal Court Hotel on Wednesday, 18 June.
The three day EXPO featured geology and archaeology lectures and talks, business sessions, a trade exhibition, and a networking event for businesses across Mourne Cooley Gullion and a series of Field Trips.
On Thursday, 19 June, Mr Fergus O’Dowd, the Irish Minister with responsibility for Natural Resources, formally launched the new Bedrock Geology Map of Ireland alongside key figures from the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI).
Over 200 guests enjoyed a Cultural Gathering and networking event at Bellurgan Park in Co Louth, while delegates were able to sample attractions and delights of the region through a series of Field Trips.
The aims of the programme of events were to enhance knowledge and understanding of the region’s unique Geotourism potential as well as cultivating links for local businesses in the tourism sector.
The Geotourism Manager John Devaney hailed the EXPO as a success which brings an added focus to the significant tourism potential across the region: ‘We are delighted with the success of EXPO2014 and the particularly the attendance and support for our programme of events. It is important that we continue to build the tourism profile of the three areas in one region, and this was ideal platform to showcase what we are doing in relation to the landscape, geology and archaeology. We hope to continue to build awareness of our programme and to provide networking forums for business and other events for the general public to promote this project and the tourist potential of the region.”
For more information on the project and details of future events visit www.mournecooleygullion.com or you can follow them on facebook and twitter.
