Cuilcagh to Cleenish: A Great Place

The Cuilcagh to Cleenish: A Great Place Project (C2C, the Project) was a three-year project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, delivered in partnership with Outscape (formerly outdoor Recreation NI), Cleenish Community Association, Killesher Community Development Association and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.

This award-winning community heritage and sustainable access project has promoted, preserved, and celebrated the heritage and culture of this area of Southwest Fermanagh. The C2C project was initiated to promote this area as a sustainable regenerative cultural area where people are attracted to visit and explore and to benefit local rural community development, cohesion, health and well-being by connecting people to their built, natural, cultural, and archaeological heritage and to each other.

As part of the project, two new, inclusive, safe, and sustainable community looped walking trails of were developed, the Nixon Hall trail and Arney Battlefield Trail as well as Phase one of the Arney River Canoe Trail 105 local community volunteers were involved in the project which not only created a significant social return on investment, but also has ensured that tangible social, economic an environmental benefits have been afforded to the residents, visitors and local businesses within these villages.

Local community representatives continue to assist the Geopark in the monitoring, inspection and light works along the length of the Trails and many local experts have completed walk leader and geopark guide training continuing to lead a dynamic and engaging programme of events and activities along the trails. This award-winning project is widely recognised Nationally as a best practice example of a sustainable Community Heritage initiative.