CEO of Sport Ireland John Treacy was in Kerry on Friday last to launch the first phase of the Kerry Way Folklore & Heritage App. Covering the section of the Kerry Way between Killarney and Glencar, the app has been developed by the Kerry Folklore Committee – Béaloideas Chiarraí group made up of representatives of SKDP, KCC Heritage Section, Trustees of Muckross and the DSP. Funding support for its development came through LEADER and the INERREG Rural Alliances project from SKDP, The Heritage Council and Kerry Group. The app itself features information on more than 20 points of interest and includes audio clips of interviews with residents of the Black Valley and Glencar. The launch took place in Lord Brandon’s Cottage in the Black Valley.
Speaking at the launch, Béaloideas Chiarraí-Kerry Folklore Chairman Johnny Porridge O’Connor said that this app will hopefully enhance the attractiveness of the Kerry Way to a broader audience. “This app will provide people with a unique insight into the cultural and heritage sites along the Kerry Way walking route while also giving them an insight into what life was like in the region in past years” Johnny said. He also thanked John Treacy for coming down to launch the app on behalf of the committee.
Sport Irelands CEO John Treacy welcomed the development of the app and said that he also hoped it would encourage many more people to go out and walk the route. “Ireland clearly has an issue with obesity and an initiative such as this that has the potential to get more people out walking and exercising should be greatly welcomed” he said. John Treacy added that he was hugely impressed with the quality of the app and praised the work of Béaloideas Chiarraí in developing it.
CEO Noel Spillane said that SKDP were delighted to support the development of the app and he hoped it would add significantly to the economy of the area through bringing in greater numbers of visitors. “This initiative will help enable the visitor to get immersed in the region and provide them with the type of unique experience they are now seeking” Noel said.
Martin Mitchel of the DSP praised the work of all involved, particularly those participants on the CE scheme who assisted in populating the information on the app while Oliver Ring of KCC said that they would not be found wanting in assisting to roll this out to the other stages of the Kerry way.
Padraig Mallon of Kerry Group said that they were also delighted to support the development of the app and congratulated all involved in its development.
The app is currently available on android and will shortly be available for apple. It can be downloaded through scanning the QR code available on promotional material or going to the supporting website www.kerrywayfolkloreandheritage.com .
