Mourne Gullion Strangford in Northern Ireland has been awarded the worldwide coveted UNESCO Global Geopark status.
Northern Ireland’s new geopark extends from the peaceful Strangford Lough to the majestic Mourne Mountains and the rugged Ring of Gullion. The geopark shows a diverse and beautiful scenery.
The new geopark in Northern Ireland includes three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The blockbuster series Game of Thrones selected it as a stunning backdrop for filming.
Over aeons, the landscape of Mourne Gullion Strangford has gone through shaping. It is a result of the collision of continents, the appearance and disappearance of oceans, tumultuous volcanic events, and the impact of ice ages. Hence, the new geopark will celebrate with its rich biodiversity and a vibrant cultural life.
It is unique amongst UNESCO Global Geoparks as it tells ‘A Tale of Two Oceans’ across 400 million years of geological history. The geology of the area traces the closure of the ancient Iapetus Ocean. This event led to the addition of the two parts of the island of Ireland. The geological history continues with the island drifting alongside the continents through tropical latitudes. Eventually, it witnesses the birth of the modern North Atlantic Ocean. Finally, the last glaciation carved this ancient landscape into the stunning place it is today.
No other UNESCO Global Geopark has such a range of geological features or can tell this story.