Ennis, a 13th-century town, gets a 21st-century app-based walking guide

19 Jun 2013

Mayor of Clare Peter Considine with Padraig O'Ruairc, OPW; Conjella McGuire, Heritage Officer; Tommy Scott, Ennis Town Council and Michael Byrne, Acton BV at Ennis Friary. Photo by Eamon Ward

A new smartphone app developed by Acton BV provides users with a handy guide to the heritage trails of Ennis, the principal town of Co Clare.

The Ennis Walking Trails app offers detailed information on the town’s five walking routes, as well as photographs and audio information for numerous points of interest along the way, including Ennis Friary, Poor Clares Monastery, O’Connell Monument and Steeles Rock.

Using GPS technology and Google Maps integration, the app also allows users to plan their routes and check the distance between sites.

The app was released yesterday as a free download on Google Play and the iTunes App Store, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Ennis. Though the town was established it the 13th century, King James I did not grant its charter until 1613.

The app was commissioned by Ennis Town Council, in conjunction with Clare County Council and supported by funding from the Heritage Council.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

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