CYCLE Ireland, the website that provides online route guides for cyclists, has launched its new smart phone App that makes exploring Ireland quicker and easier. This could bring additional revenue to Clare, which already is a very popular destination for cycle tourists.
The Cycle Ireland App features 100 of the most scenic routes in Ireland, taking in top attractions and covering 6,800 kilometres. Photos, videos and route descriptions can be viewed on the Cycleireland.ie website and on the App.
The App provides an opportunity to exploit Ireland’s massive untapped potential as a cycling destination. Bord Fáilte is actively targeting a potential market of 20 million cycle tourists and it is estimated that approximately 170,000 cycling enthusiasts and tourists will visit Ireland’s countryside this year. The Cycle Ireland App will help these cycle tourists to explore Ireland’s countryside.
James Harrington, creator of the Cycle Ireland App sees a huge opportunity ahead for Irish tourism.
“The popularity of cycling is exploding in Ireland. Visitors who cycle here spend €200 million per annum, mainly in rural areas.
“The South-West already has an excellent reputation for hikers and cyclists but this is an opportunity to greatly expand the numbers of people cycling here. The App has 36 routes in Munster, which has some of the greatest scenery in Ireland, and all in a compact area. Cork, Kerry and Clare have obvious appeal but we also have routes in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford for people to discover,” he said.
Mr Harrington said the Giro d’Italia Big Start in May will showcase our countryside to millions of cycling fans across Europe.
“Our huge network of back roads is a superb cycling resource but is under-utilised as they can be difficult to find and navigate. We need to get the message out to the key markets of the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands, online and on mobile, just what is available to cyclists here. We want to create millions of memorable cycling trips with the Cycle Ireland App,” he said.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.