The Céide Fields has won the prestigious Carlo Scarpa international landscape award for gardens. At a ceremony in the Céide Fields Visitor Centre in Mayo, Minister Michael Ring and Minister of State Kevin "Boxer" Moran welcomed the award which is now proudly on display in the visitors' centre.
Every year the Italian Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche awards the International Carlo Scarpa Prize for Gardens – to attract attention to a site which is particularly rich in natural, historical and creative values. This year the Céide Fields was among many significant sites that were considered by the Foundation for 2018. Against stiff competition, the Céide Fields was selected as the overall winner of the award for 2018.
Minister Michael Ring said: “The Céide Fields is building serious momentum as a top class attraction and this award will help bring more visitors to this most fascinating of places. The Wild Atlantic Way has put Céide Fields on the map and the Government’s National Development Plan includes major improvements to the Céide Fields Visitor Experience.
"More than 30,000 people already visit the centre annually. I have no doubt that with this significant Government investment and increasing recognition such as today’s award, the number of visitors will increase significantly.
"I may be slightly biased but I believe that the north Mayo coast where the Céide Fields is located, is one of the most beautiful parts of Europe. The increasing popularity of this rugged and majestic coastline benefits both the local community and the people lucky enough to visit."
