Minister Ring Welcomes €2.1 million Fáilte Ireland Funding for Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park
Fáilte Ireland has today (Friday, 31st August) announced funding approval for a €2.1 million 56km cycle track through part of the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park. The project when completed will see the upgrading of the existing Western Way to a grade 3 cycle/walk track extending some 56km off road from the Great Western Greenway through the National Park to Ballycastle in North Mayo. The project is part of Fáilte Ireland’s strategic partnership with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to achieve the aims of further developing quality visitor experiences at Ireland’s National Parks and also conserving and protecting their natural environments for the enjoyment of future generations. Also today, the National Parks and Wildlife Service announced the renaming of the National Park to the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park.
Welcoming the Fáilte Ireland funding, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring T.D. said:
“Not only will this walk and cycle track allow visitors to get into the heart of the spectacular Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park, it also connects the Park to the highly successful Great Western Greenway and goes all the way to the north Mayo coast at Ballycastle.
“This is an extremely attractive prospect to the many thousands of visitors who participate in walking, hiking and cycling holidays. It will also prove a wonderful amenity for local people who want to get out into Mayo’s great natural wilderness. With an expected increase in visitor numbers following completion of the works, it will also provide economic opportunities for a range of local tourism businesses including accommodation providers, restaurants, bike hire, guiding and outdoor pursuits.”
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D said:
“I am very pleased that the beauty and potential of Mayo’s National Park has been recognised with the provision of this funding. Last year nearly 5,000 ha of forest lands to the east and south of the Nephin mountain range were transferred to the Park. This newly acquired land has been integrated with the original park and I am delighted to announce that Ballycroy National Park will now be known as Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park. The funding of €2.1m from Fáilte Ireland will enable the evolution of the Park, and ultimately assist in protecting, preserving and promoting its stunning and unique landscape nationally and internationally.”
Paul Kelly, Fáilte Ireland Chief Executive added:
“Our consumer research shows that visits to National Parks are seen as an important element of a holiday to Ireland. Tourism is a very competitive marketplace and we have to remain constantly aware of the trends and requirements of an ever more discerning consumer. We are keenly aware that a key motivator for our visitors in choosing to come to Ireland is our landscape. This cycle track makes the most of the park’s natural environment with almost all of the trail uninhabited, free of traffic noise and light pollution. With an authentic ‘wilderness’ feel and a sense of real solitude, it’s the perfect destination for the growing numbers of visitors who are seeking to get away from it all through long distance walking and cycling.”
The Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park is located on the Wild Atlantic Way in northwest Mayo. It comprises 15,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog, forestry and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by Nephin Beg mountain range. Wild Nephin was formally established as Ireland’s first wilderness zone in a joint agreement between the NPWS and Coillte in 2013. In 2017, Coillte agreed to transfer their Wild Nephin land holding to NPWS, extending Ballycroy National Park and offering new opportunities for visitors to enjoy the landscape.
As part of the event, Minister Ring raised the Green Flag which was recently awarded to the National Park. A Green Flag is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world. The Green Flag Award for Parks is only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management and excellence of visitor attractions. The Green Flag Awards are judged by a peer jury of green space experts who assess the sites against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement. Green flag status ensures delivery of quality green spaces, best practice management, plans for improvements and future works and the implementation of environmentally sustainability within park management.
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