.
At the launch of the Kerry Way app were, Mike Morris, Secretary, Béaloideas Chiarraí, Séan De Buitléar, COLLOBOR8 South Kerry Development Partnership, back from left, Keith Doran, Audio/IT, Frank Hayes, Kerry Group, Johnny O’Connor, Chairman, Béaloideas Chiarraí, Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Noel Spillane CEO, South Kerry Development Partnership, MEP Sean Kelly, Kieran Barr, Assistant Principal Officer, DEASP and Gail McCarthy, Assistant Principal Officer, DEASP. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
AN innovative app, showcasing the heritage and folklore of the Kerry Way walking route, has been launched by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan in South Kerry today.
The App, developed by Béaloideas Chiarraí/Kerry Folklore, identifies particular points of interests for walkers along the route as well as enabling them listen to local people tell the stories of the area down through the years.
It covers the whole of the Kerry Way route in nine stages over its 200Km route and is free to download.
Continued below…
.
It is available in six languages including Irish. Funding for the project was provided through the LEADER Programme with match funding from Kerry Group, with the initial App and the first stage of the project being developed with funding through the INTERREG programme, again with support from Kerry Group.
In his address at the launch, Commissioner Hogan praised all those involved in this innovative project. “This App is a wonderful asset for the area and will enable people who visit the region the chance to get a unique sense of place experience” he said.
Commissioner Hogan also noted that the App was a wonderful example of a link between modern technology and the old stories and heritage of the region that opens up a whole new audience for this wealth of information that exists along the Kerry Way.
In many instances, they are walking through landscape that contains archaeological elements that cover centuries.
This App will now help to make them aware of these special sites as they pass by them as well as informing them, through the voices of the locals, as to how life was and is in the region Commissioner Hogan said. He added that it showed the importance of the LEADER programme to organisations such as Béaloideas Chiarraí in enabling them to undertake such an ambitious and beneficial project.
Minister Brendan Griffin said that this App, coupled with the increasing interest in walking in general, will be a catalyst in attracting many more people to enjoy the jewel in the crown of the Kingdom that is the Kerry Way walking route.
“Tourism is such an important industry to this region and having an added attraction such as the App will hopefully increase the profile of the Kerry Way and help promoter the region overall” Minister Griffin added.
Kerry Folklore Committee Chairman Johnny O’Connor thanked all those involved in the development of the App over the last couple of years, especially the funders and the people who provided information and recorded stories for the project including co-ordinator Una Cosgrave-Hanley.
“Our aim in developing this App was to showcase the rich and diverse heritage and folklore that exists in South Kerry to visitors to the region, particularly the walkers who come in their thousands to experience the Kerry Way” he said.
Mr. Connor said that in his view, the Kerry Way is possibly the most beautiful way marked walk in the world that by encouraging more people to use it through this App, it will generate significant economic benefit for these isolated area of Kerry.
He also praised the farmers for the work they undertake in maintaining the walk through the invaluable Walks Scheme.
Among others in attendance at the launch were MEP Seán Kelly, Mayor of Killarney Municipal District John Sheehan, South Kerry Development Partnership CEO Noel Spillane, KCC CEO Moira Morrell, Kieran Barry of the DEASP and LAG Chairperson Cllr. Niall Kelleher.
The App is available for both Apple and Android phones and can be downloaded via the website http://www.kerrywayfolkloreandheritage.com/app or directly through the App store.
