Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has launched an innovative app that will promote Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter.
The ‘Slí na Gaeltachta’ app provides an interactive platform for people to immerse themselves in the Gaeltacht Quarter. Developed with £35,000 of funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the app is free and available for download to all Apple and Android devices.
Launching the app at An Cultúrlann as part of the 2015 Fléadh Feirste Festival, the Minister said: “Thanks to the Gaeltacht Quarter Action Plan launched in 2013, this part of Belfast is fast developing into one of the cornerstones of the city’s tourist and cultural offering. Visitors to Belfast are keen to immerse themselves in the rich and varied history and culture available here and this new app will help them to do just that.
“The ‘Slí na Gaeltachta’ app helps people connect with the Irish language and learn more about the Gaeltacht Quarter, highlighting key historical and cultural points of interest, such as the plaques recently installed by Belfast City Council. There is no doubt the app, which is free to download, enhances any visit to the area. Furthermore, users do not need to have Irish to be able to use the app; indeed they might even pick up a cúpla focal as they enjoy its bilingual features.”
The Minister continued: “I am pleased that my Department made the app possible by funding the Gaeltacht Quarter App Challenge. The challenge sought to develop a tourism and cultural focused product while also engaging and stimulating the local creative industry sector, and it has been a resounding success.
“My thanks go to Forbairt Feirste and CultureTECH for managing the app challenge effectively. I also congratulate the winner, Tradebox Media, on producing what is a valuable resource for people visiting the Gaeltacht Quarter.”
The Minister added: “I encourage anyone who is interested in the Irish language and the Gaeltacht Quarter to download and explore the app.”
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