Beautiful Laois village launches new trails app
Among those attending the launch at Market Sq Studios in Ballinakill were Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh, Cllr Paddy Buggy, climate action coordinator Suzanne Dempsey and Just Transition tourism activator Regina Dunne. Photo: Laois Co Council
TEA and tourism were on the menu in Ballinakill, when an exciting new trails app was launched in the picturesque village.
A Reusable 2GoCup scheme was also unveiled at the event, which had a firm focus on protecting the environment around the scenic area, which includes one of the county’s biggest tourist attractions at Heywood Gardens.
The user-friendly Ballinakill Trail app was developed by Ballinakill Community Development Association (BCDA), in partnership with People First Credit Union.
This app is curated to provide a vibrant variety of long and short walking routes in and around Ballinakill and Heywood with photos, video, audio and text descriptions of the sights and sounds.
The app includes routes for biodiversity, families and history buffs, as well as information on parking, hospitality and facilities in the area.
The environmentally friendly 2GoCup Scheme, supported by Laois Co Council’s climate action team, was implemented by Market Sq Studios to reduce waste and protect the environment.
Locals did a litter pick around the impeccably maintained village and enjoyed exploring the trails app, before gathering for the double launch at Market Sq Studios on Sunday 23 November.
Among those attending the event were Laois Co Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh, Cllr Paddy Buggy, climate action coordinator Suzanne Dempsey and the county’s Just Transition tourism activator Regina Dunne.
People have been encouraged to think reusable and return their 2GoCup to the nearest stockist, where they can get a new cup or get their €2 deposit back.
The group ended the day with a social café stop for tea and cake, when they chatted about ways to support tourism network development in the county.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Laois Co Council’s climate action team and Just Transition tourism activator were delighted to collaborate with BCDA and Market Sq Studios to launch the Ballinakill Trail app and Reusable 2GoCup Scheme initiative, aimed at reducing waste and protecting the environment near one of our biggest tourism attractions.
‘Thanks also to Fáilte Ireland, which collaborates with Laois Co Council to implement sustainable tourism solutions in cooperation with tourism enterprises.’
