The Copper Coast Geopark is a largely voluntary community organisation. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee, with Charitable Status.
The Board is made up of directors from the local community as well as valued members from further afield with varied expertise and experience.
The Geopark has a part-time manager, and a geologist. They are backed up by a local management team, several voluntary guides and workers from FAS and TUS.
The Geopark grew out of the Copper Coast Tourism Group which had been formed in 1997; our application to join the new European Geoparks Network was accepted in 2001. In 2004, in common with all the European Network Geoparks, the Copper Coast became part of the Global Geoparks Network and in 2015 the relationship with UNESCO, which had always existed was consolidated when Global Geoparks became UNESCO Global Geoparks. Also in 2004, substantial InterReg funding necessitated the forming of a limited company. That funding enabled, among other things, the purchase of Tankardstown Mining Engine House and Monksland Church. Further funding from Leader has meant that we could do up the church building for use as a multi-purpose Geopark Centre and community facility, with a café, shop, exhibition space and the possibility to use it for small seminars, courses and performances.
To date we have been greatly assisted by modest financial backing from Waterford County Council and the Geological Survey of Ireland and their practical and moral support in many different ways.
Directors:
Dr. Mike Sweeney(Chair), Des Cowman, Dr. Richard Unitt, John Galloway, Donal O’Brien, Michael O’Meara, Breda Colfer.
Registered Office:
Copper Coast Geopark Ltd., Monksland Centre, Knockmahon, Bunmahon, Co. Waterford, Ireland
Registered in Ireland no. 387875. Charity no. CHY16500
