Pictured at the launch of the new Ballyhoura Trails Guide App were, from left, Pat Casey, Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment, Miriam Sadlier Barry, Ballyhoura Failte, Marian Wallis, Chair of Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club, Deputy Mayor of Limerick City & County Cllr Tom Ruddle, Jana Mannion, Tourism & Marketing Officer, Ballyhoura Development CLG, Jim Flynn, Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment, and Margaret Atalla, Ballyhoura Failte.
Photo by Diarmuid Greene
Looking to be inspired and to find new ways of exploring rural Ireland? Then, you are invited to make the brand new Ballyhoura Trails Guide App your one-stop-shop to a world of outdoor adventure, history and cultural heritage in the region. With its reputation as a hidden tourist gem growing ever-larger, Ballyhoura Country –situated at the crossroads of Munster on the borders of counties Limerick, Cork and Tipperary–is cementing this status with the launch of its new, modern and interactive app. The Ballyhoura Trail Guide App is your personal guide to discover the region’s trails, where a world of outdoor adventure and cultural heritage is waiting to be explored. It will guide you effortlessly through the walking, road cycling and mountain biking trails, and help you discover places to stay, eat and explore nearby.
Waymarked Trails
For walkers, hikers and nature lovers, the app contains Ballyhoura’s 21 waymarked trails, ranging in distance from 5km to 18km; they vary from easy strolls to challenging hikes through sandy roadways, woodland trails and forest paths. Meanwhile, mountain bikers and adventure seekers can consult the app to see which of the 98km of trails on Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails–the largest trail network of its kind in Ireland–they’d like to tackle. From forest road climbs to tight twisty single track to technical rocky sections, the app will make it simple to plan your day’s adventure.
The app also looks after road cyclists and bike touring enthusiasts, offering information on Ireland’s largest cycling hub’s four cycling routes in Kilmallock.
With distances varying from 16km to 82km, the Cycling Hub offers quiet country roads through some of Ireland’s most scenic countryside, while you will also encounter some of Ireland’s best Neolithic and medieval history in villages and towns on your route.
Wonderful amenity
Welcoming the launch, the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr. Daniel Butler said, “The Ballyhoura Trails are a wonderful amenity in County Limerick. With the launch of the new app, more and more people will be able to enjoy the facilities and the beauty in this part of the county, and the app is ideal for those who want to experience something different. The Ballyhouras are a jewel in our crown and we want more people to experience them and come to visit.”
The best of Ballyhoura
From the moment that you log in and create your profile as a walker, trail-runner, mountain biker, cyclist, bird watcher or nature lover, you are on your way to discovering the very best of Ballyhoura, and to customising the app exactly as you wish.
You can view the trails’ difficulty level on the app and tailor your day accordingly. Planning an outing with the family? No problem – the app will tell you which trails are family-friendly. Perhaps a leisurely walk with your four-legged friends is more to your liking? If so, rest assured you can select a trail that’s dog-friendly too. You can discover where to drink in the best views that the region has to offer, where to sample the best local eateries, and where to rest your weary head at the end of the day. In addition to all this, you can save your favourite trails, you can track and share your own progress on social media as well as that of friends who are using the app, and you can upload photos you’ve taken of the stunning scenery.
A critical role
Jana Mannion, Tourism and Marketing Officer, Ballyhoura Development CLG said, “The new app will play a critical role in promoting outdoor and recreational infrastructure in Ballyhoura region to visitors, while also allowing local communities to explore all of the outdoors experiences in their area.”
Padraig Fitzgerald of Ballyhoura Development CLG said, “We are delighted to be part of the team launching the new Ballyhoura Trails Guide App, which includes all of the walking trails, with the addition of the mountain biking and road cycling trails. This means that the App will have a much greater reach and attract a wider range of visitors to the area. For local communities and people in the Ballyhoura region it will allow them to explore all of the outdoors experiences in their area–from walking and cycling to mountain biking.” Extending a warm welcome to visitors from far and near, John Kennedy, Chairperson of Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment CLG, added, “This new, very informative and user-friendly app is a great boon to all who appreciate the benefits of outdoor activities in the fresh air as well as the beautiful surroundings of the Ballyhoura Country.”