The Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark (MACUGG) has added to its existing Geopark Ambassador cohort by training 20 local community heritage enthusiasts to become Geopark ‘Heritage Champions’ in West Fermanagh.

The 20 new Heritage Champions – four of whom are shown here – will act as ambassadors for the MACUGG across the area, drawing on their diverse range of experiences and backgrounds to help spread awareness of the MACUGG, and its mission.

Many aspects of the MACUGG are already well-known to people all across Fermanagh, Cavan and further afield, thanks to the diverse range of features within the sprawling reach of the MACUGG.

Covering large areas of public lands with more than 70 sites across Fermanagh and Cavan, the MACUGG has an abundance of unique, exceptional, and rich natural, built, and cultural heritage sites and features throughout.

It is extremely important to not only conserve the area for generations to come, but to also educate those who are currently living or working in, and visiting, the area, in the hope of helping residents, locals and visitors to more fully enjoy and understand the rich heritage and connect with the landscape.

In 2020, the MACUGG secured funding via the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership National Lottery Heritage Fund to roll out a co-ordinated education training programme, enabling the creation of a network of 20 Heritage Champions.

The programme was delivered virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and comprised 10 online sessions that were co-ordinated by Travel and Tourism Associates.

Topics were delivered by local subject experts in areas such as UNESCO Global Geoparks, geology, geomorphology, archaeology, biodiversity, event management and tour guiding, ensuring a comprehensive overview was delivered to the enthusiastic Heritage Champions.

Speaking about the programme, and welcoming the creation of the Heritage Champions, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said: “They will act as an important conduit for meaningful community engagement within the geopark.

“[Their appointment] provides an opportunity for new community-based sustainable tourism products and initiatives to develop, and most significantly ensures that local people have the skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure that the unique and special landscapes of the geopark are understood, interpreted and celebrated by all for many generations to come.”

Council colleague, Martina O’Neill, Development Officer – Partnerships and Engagement, added: “We were delighted with the participation and positive feedback from the Heritage Champions programme, and look forward to working with them in Fermanagh, and continuing to work with our geopark ambassadors in Cavan.

“[They will] ensure the unique stories of the geopark’s special landscapes are told, allowing us to connect with and enjoy the wonderful rich heritage of the geopark in a sustainable way.”

Also welcoming the addition of the champions was Elmarie Swanepoel, Lough Erne Landscape Programme Manager, who said: “The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership are delighted to work in partnership with the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark to support the training of 20 new heritage guides.

“These passionate individuals will be great ambassadors for our region, to share the unique stories of our area to bring the natural, built and cultural heritage to life.

“We celebrate the achievement of each of these participants who took part in the programme, and look forward to the future to offer a further programme of accredited tour guide training within the wider Lough Erne region.”

The Heritage Champions will now join the geopark ambassadors, who were established in 2011 and are a critical link to their respective communities in West Cavan, and whom, with their ongoing support and assistance over the years, have enabled the MACUGG to operate a diverse and exciting programme of activities and experiences.

Due to the success of this programme, the MACUGG is now working again in partnership with the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership to offer an OCN Level 2 qualification in Tour Guiding in the Spring and Autumn of 2021 to those who are interested in participating.

Further information on this will be released soon; you may also email macgeopark@fermanaghomagh.com for further information, when available.