Ennis historical trails app to go multilingual?

THE success of the Ennis Town Historical Trails App has sparked calls to now translate the app into different languages for the county capital’s tourists.
Ennis Town Council recently introduced a smart phone application using GPS technology and Google maps, developed by local company Acton BV, to guide tourists around the heritage trails of the town.

The app went live for the first time in June, with Michael Byrne of Acton BV explaining at a recent meeting of the town council, “This is about going from paper to pocket, making it more convenient for people to have the information available”.

Councillor Michael Guilfoyle has now urged that the app be translated. According to Councillor Guilfoyle, this needs to be done “sooner rather than later” to cater for the town’s tourists. This was echoed by Councillor Peter Considine, who stated, “In my experience from seeing large groups of French people who come here, many don’t speak English”.

Mr Byrne told the councillors that offering a translation is “not particularly complex from a technology point of view” but said he did not know what the costs would be in terms of the actual translation of the language.

The matter is set to be further discussed by the councillors with the executive. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Mary Coote Ryan described the app as a “marvellous way of promoting the town in so many ways”.

The phone app was developed in conjunction with Clare County Council and supported with funding by the Heritage Council. The app provides detailed information and photographs for 56 points of interest along five walking routes around the town.

Town clerk Leonard Cleary stated, “As one of the largest towns in the county, Ennis has a diverse and interesting history and has been the natural home for many great political and other leaders and events. It is important that we appreciate our past and take pride in sharing our heritage with visitors.

“The unique streetscape in Ennis provides the perfect backdrop to the five walking routes of the heritage trails. The app will enhance the visitor experience and provide all who use it with a greater appreciation of the heritage of the town and its people.”

Amongst the well known heritage attractions profiled in the app are Ennis Friary, Chapel Lane, Poor Clares Monastery, Ennis Courthouse, Bindon Street, O’Connell Monument, Steele’s Rock and the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul.

An accompanying booklet including maps will shortly be available. The app can be downloaded for free from iTunes and Google Play by searching for Ennis Trails.