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ANYONE walking along the stretch of the Kerry Way between Lord Brandon’s Cottage and the Bride Valley on a recent Saturday could be forgiven for wondering which country exactly they were in given the multi-lingual tones that were to be heard along the route.

This was all to do with a walk organised by the Kerry Folklore Group (Béaloideas Chiarraí) aimed at promoting the multi-lingual Kerry Way Folklore & Heritage App but also coincided with a major announcement in relation to the next phase of this project.

The app, which currently covers the stretch of the Kerry Way between Lord Brandon’s Cottage and Glencar, provides users with the opportunity to learn about the heritage and important archaeological sites along the route. People also get to hear what life was like down through the years in the region through hearing recordings of local people. Once downloaded, the different elements are triggered by GPS as one walks along the route.

Amongst those on the walk to experience the app was German Ambassador Herr Matthias Hӧpfner and his wife Tina, Kerry’s newest Minister Brendan Griffin, football legend Micky Ned O’Sullivan, MEP Seán Kelly and representatives of tourism businesses and organisations from around the region. Welcoming everyone to the event, chair of Kerry Folklore Johnny O’Connor thanked all of the organisations who supported the development of the App and said that it was the hope of committee that it would encourage many more people to enjoy the Kerry Way walk while helping to preserve the heritage of the region.

Before the walkers set off on the route, SKDP CEO Noel Spillane broke the excellent news that the Kerry Folklore project application for circa €20,000 in funding under the 2014-2020 Rural Development (LEADER) Programme to enable the app cover the remaining sections of the Kerry Way had been successful. Kerry Group’s Frank Hayes then announced that Kerry Group would again be delighted to provide the match funding to enable the completion of the project. This news added a spring to the step of all the walkers in attendance. Visit www.kerrywayfolkloreandheritage.com to download.
 

 
Above: Minister of State Brendan Griffin, joined by German Ambassador Herr Matthias Hӧpfner and his wife Tina, MEP Sean Kelly, Gloria O’Driscoll, SKDP, chairperson, Frank Hayes, Kerry Group, Noel Spillane, CEO, SKDP, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, John O’Connor, Declan Murphy, Fáilte Ireland, Sean O’Suilleabháin, founder, Kerry Way, Seán De Buitléir, SKDP, Margo Boerma, tour guide, Mike Morris, Solas. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN