During the first Covid lockdown in spring 2020 many of us had a go at growing our own fruit, veg, herbs, and flowers with various levels of success. It’s a learning curve!

Maybe you bought more than you needed of seeds, compost, pots or whatever. Or, when your seeds came up you had far more than you had room for; or when harvest-time came it all came good together. You can only eat or freeze so much of anything!

We hope to overcome these issues very simply by encouraging people to share and swap seeds, plants, produce, knowledge and even seasonal recipes.

With a nod to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development we are launching an initiative to help get the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark growing. This simple seed, plant, produce swap and share scheme is to help and encourage the community to growing it ourselves.

When regulations allow we mean to host a regular ‘swap’ table at the Copper Coast Geopark Visitor centre in Bunmahon. Local community groups will also be encouraged to host ‘swap’ events. Bring your extra tomato plants and swap them for your neighbour’s surplus lettuce!

The Copper Coast Geopark stretches from Garrarus near Fenor to Stradbally and inland to Dunhill and Kill. The Geopark is made up of varied bedrock and a multitude of different soil types all giving individual advantages and challenges to the gardener. Let’s get growing and see what we can swap in the coming months.

Keep an eye out on social media, local press and your community notice board for swap events in your area when regulations allow or join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/145438437386588/?ref=share

We loved how the community came together for the ‘Copper Coast Drive By Spooking’ this October! We thought we would suggest similar this Christmas. Unfortunately our regular seasonal events have been cancelled  so let’s spread some Christmas Cheer across the Copper Coast! Starting on December 6th let’s brighten up the 7 villages by decorating our outdoor spaces. Share your holiday greetings online with the hash tag #coppercoastcheer and let us know where you are. Community groups, business and services providers located in the area are welcome to use the tag #coppercoastcheer to let us know about online ordering, offers, events, opening times, delivery details and so on. The Copper Coast Geopark stretches along the coast from Kilfarassy Beach, near Fenor in the east to Ballyvoile Beach near Stradbally to the west and inland to Dunhill and Kill so com’on everybody lets spread cheer this December!

https://fb.me/e/1U0FSTwLK

We were very sad to hear our dear friend Matthew Parkes died recently. It was far too soon.

Matthew was a good friend to the Copper Coast Geopark, especially when we needed his expertise in setting up our Visitor Centre and exhibition. With his knowledge and experience, he showed a great talent for translating geology and heritage into a language that we could all understand. And he brought it too with enormous patience and generosity and gentle good humour. Matthew was for some years a Director of Copper Coast Geopark Clg.

Born in England, a passion for geology brought him to NUI Galway, working towards his Phd. Apart from a year or so in Wales, Matthew made Ireland his home, lecturing in Trinity, then working in various capacities in the Geological Survey of Ireland and then joining and becoming an integral part of the workings of the National Museum of Ireland.

During his time in G.S.I. he played a pivotal role in developing their geological heritage process; this included the production of many publications on the Geological heritage of Irish counties, not least of which was “Corries, Caves and Coast”.  His bibliography suggests that he was known and will be missed the length and breadth of Ireland.

May he rest in peace.

As of March 12th the Government has announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) in Ireland. In light of a growing public health crisis, we have a duty of care to our staff and all of our visitors.

The Geopark Visitor Centre will remain closed to the public until further notice.

We appreciate your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back to our renovated exhibition in the near future.

We currently expect to reopen on Saturday April 4th; however this may change as we monitor the situation and follow expert advice, government and HSE recommendations.

Spring is here!!

We are opening the Copper Coast Cafe on Saturdays and Sundays,
between 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm.