App sends walkers on their Kerry Way

Developed by Béaloideas Chiarraí (Kerry Folklore), the app provides walkers with a wealth of information on the popular route including detailed descriptions of over 60 points of interest and maps.

The Kerry Way multilingual app was officially launched by EU Commissioner Phil Hogan in April 2019. “It’s a great example of a local community using EU support to achieve sustainable local development,” he said.

“By developing the app, Kerry draws on its proud storytelling tradition to make the most of its rich heritage through smart tourism.”

Béaloideas Chiarraí Committee Chairman, Johnny O’Connor, believes the Kerry Way is possibly the most beautiful route-marked walk in the world:

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.

Walkers who download the free app can find points of interest identified with photographs that are triggered by GPS codes as they pass specific spots.

The app also features short history and folklore stories told by locals living along the route to give walkers first-hand insights into the area’s life and legends.

Its development was made possible by local people giving up their time, and supported by local groups including the South Kerry Development Partnership, trustees of Muckross House, SOLAS trainees in Kerry and many others.

During the initial stages of development, information needed to be gathered covering the area from Muckross to Glencar.

This was funded through an EU Interreg project with support from Kerry County Council and the Kerry Group.

Completing the data gathering and translations was funded through LEADER, which provided just over €19,000 with match funding provided by the Kerry Group and Béaloideas Chiarraí.