‘Looking at Heritage through a Visitor’s Eye’
West Cork’s first ever Heritage and Tourism Conference was held in the recently opened Top of the Rock Pod Páirc and Walking Centre in Drimoleague (www.topoftherock.ie) Drimoleague in September last year. The focus of the conference was on how the distinctive West Cork Heritage can be sensitively harnessed as a magnet for visitors.
Take a look at what happened on the day..
Popular Irish storyteller Eddie Lenihan gave the opening address, followed by an interesting overview of heritage in the region from Conor Nelligan, Heritage Officer, and Mary Sleeman, County Archaeologist with Cork County Council.
The morning session focused on tourism, with interesting perspectives on the future of tourism in Ireland, and in particular, the emerging role of social media from travel writer, Fionn Davenport. Tina O’Dwyer, Sustainable Tourism Co-ordinator, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark spoke about ecotourism and responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people; while Josephine O’Driscoll, Wild Atlantic Way Client Services Manager, Fáilte Ireland spoke about motivating factors for international tourists, and what’s next for West Cork.
The afternoon session began with a talk from Colum Cronin from Oral History West Cork. Dr Siobhán Burke of Wordhoard Communications gave an interesting, and lively, talk on The War of Independence and how West Cork should capitalise on the centenary commemorations and growing public interest. Isabell Smyth, Head of Communication, The Heritage Council spoke about Heritage Week and other Heritage Council initiatives; while Susan Cross from TellTale UK closed out the afternoon’s second session with her five tips for success when creating a visitor ‘experience’.
Presentations from the Conference are available here:
Mary Sleeman Conor Nelligan – Cork County Council0
Isabell Smyth – Heritage Council
Siobhan Burke – Wordhoard Communications
Tina O Dwyer – Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.pdf
Josephine O Driscoll – Failte Ireland
After lunch, delegates participated in a brainstorming session exploring how tourism can further enhance heritage and how heritage can further enhance tourism in the West Cork region, suggesting key initiative and projects to develop. Conference Chairperson, Terri Kearney, Manager, Skibbereen Heritage Centre said “We invited conference delegates to play an active part in the discussions throughout the day and the brainstorming session. This was a valuable event at the end of the 2014 season as we plan ahead for 2015, and the aim is that the feedback which emerged from the conference will inform and shape the role of heritage in tourism development in the region.”
For information on the outcomes of the workshop, please see Workshop Feedback Overview.
The day-long conference culminated with a field trip along St. Finbarr’s Pilgrim Way, led by David Ross.
