The Mám Éan Geotrail was launched in January at Ionad Pobail an Mháma with two guest speakers. Brian McConnell, retired principal geologist at Geological Survey Ireland, highlighted the geological connections with North America. Frank Conroy of Maam community gave a fascinating account of the local history and folklore linked with Mám Éan and its use down through the ages by the local community in Maam.
The launch was followed the next day by a well-attended guided walk over the length of the Geotrail led by Benjamin Thébaudeau the Geopark geologist, Brian McConnell and Carole Reynolds of Connemara National Park. The three guides provided insights at various sites highlighting the local rocks, biodiversity and archaeological features on display.
The Western Way has ancient connections to access routes used by our ancestors. It became part of the national walking trails system in the 1980s, taking in spectacular scenery in Counties Galway and Mayo in the west of Ireland. Mám Éan is located at the ancient pass crossing the Maumturks mountains between the Maam Valley and the Inagh Valley. Ireland shares a geological history with the USA and Canada, Scotland, Scandinavia, and Greenland. There is ample evidence in the rocks along the trail revealing these strong connections.
The Mám Éan Geotrail offers a great asset for the JCWL Geopark and the local communities of Maam, Recess and Leenane, expanding the interpretation already offered in the geopark region. It shines a new light on the prime outdoor tourism infrastructure that is the Western Way and connects it to North America through the International Appalachian Trail, not only through the human connections but also thanks to its geology.
