An area across north Galway and south Mayo has been formally designated as a UNESCO recognised Global Geopark.
The accolade from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recognises areas of outstanding natural beauty, along with an acknowledgement of a community commitment to safeguard them.
They are described as "single, unified geographical areas", where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed "with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development".
The Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) Geopark covers a total of 1,500sq/km, taking in Killary Fjord, the Túar Mhic Éadaigh Gaeltacht, Cong, Sléibhte Mhám Toirc, Loch Measca and Lough Corrib.
UNESCO says the awarding of the title is in recognition of the area's natural, geological and cultural heritage and is dependent on a "firm commitment by local communities" to showcase and protect this for future generations.
Its decision to endorse the application followed an almost two-decade-long effort by community groups, assisted by local and State agencies, to secure the status.
It began during the economic downturn, when a group of locals got together to examine ways of how they could combine forces in order to support each other and the landscape around them.
Using the geology of the region as their starting point, they worked to develop a range of interlinked initiatives, aimed at celebrating the natural habitat and ensuring that its place in the everyday lives of the population was safeguarded.
This entails a range of actions, covering all aspects of the lived experience around the area. In turn, it is hoped this will lead to sustainable, long-term strategy that will benefit the towns and villages involved, as well as attracting tourists and students from around the world.
The GCWL Geopark communities were adjudged to be dedicated to maintaining their individual charm and ethos, while working to sustain the unique skills and traditions associated with them. It is the first time a Gaeltacht region has been included in such a designation by the United Nations.
There are now over 230 such Geoparks around the world, and the addition of the region in Connacht brings to five the number of designations in Ireland.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher; The Copper Coast in Waterford; Mourne Gullion in Co Down and the Cuilcagh Lakelands around Fermanagh and Cavan, all share the same recognition.
The award is initially for a four-year period, after which it is re-examined, to ensure it continues to meet UNESCO stipulations.
Events are scheduled to take place over the coming days to celebrate the formal awarding of the status.
JDWL Geopark Manager, Michael Hegarty, says it has geology of international significance, with a great variety of terrains, in a relatively small area.
As well as a huge range of ice age features, the region boasts a karst landscape and examples of other metamorphic activity which merged and coalesced around the lands in question.
The award has been described as a "landmark achievement" by CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta Tomás Ó Síocháin. He said the accolade would provide a major boost by opening new doors for sustainable tourism, community development, and economic opportunity.
Those driving the project say the support provided by Údarás, the Geological Survey of Ireland, along with the local authorities in Galway and Mayo was central to the initiative.
Mr Hegarty said the designation was a testament to how people were shaped by the landscape in which they lived and the deep connections this fosters.
