Athboy unveils updated and modernised heritage trail
A NEWLY updated Athboy Heritage Trail was launched last week in the Darnley Lodge Hotel.
The heritage trail highlights 20 key points of local interest and history around Athboy and has been updated by local historians and volunteers with new facts and additional points of interests.
Katie McCormack of Athboy Tidy Towns explains that the original trail was created in the 1990s and included 13 points of interest.
"We wanted to update it and Athboy Tidy Towns applied for a Community Recognition Grant, which allowed us to purchase an information sign for the centre of the town.
"Athboy Tidy Towns created the design for that information sign and updated the heritage trail from 13 points to 20.
"We were very lucky to have the help of the Athboy 100 group, particularly Bernard Walsh and Patrick Brogan.
"We created two posters - one was the information sign with details of the background of the heritage trail, nearby points of interest and the history and mythology or the area including Tlachta (Hill of Ward). The second poster is a map of the trail with the 20 stops and a QR code for each stop.Patrick Brogan created a webpage for each of the 20 stops.
"Because of our proximity to Rathcairn, we wanted everything in both English and Irish. Simon Cronin translated everything and the design and printing was done by Doreen Philip of Impact Print and design, and it pays homage to original 1990s design.
Ms McCormack said it was great to be a part of the project. "It was a fantastic project and it has created a bit of a buzz with other groups. There are people in Batterstown and Dunshaughlin interested in doing something similar who have contacted us.
"We were very lucky that Athboy has such expertise among the volunteers involved."
The maps/leaflets are available from Athboy Library, the Darnley Hotel, Athboy Hub and some local shops.
Cllr Mike Bray said said Athboy has a rich heritage and history, so it is important that it is recognised and celebrated.
“Visitors to the local area have to opportunity to learn about the key points and locations in Athboy through the new updated and modernised heritage trail.
"In order to grow our tourism industry locally projects like this are key to keeping tourists in the area for longer and it will in turn benefit the local economy in Athboy.
“Big credit must be given to all the volunteers and local historians involved in updating the Athboy heritage trail with addition content and new key facts about the local area.
“The QR code is an excellent addition which will allow locals and visitors to follow the trail on their smart phone as well as with still having the new paper map and trail,” he said.
"Well done to Athboy 100, Athboy Tidy Towns and all the other volunteers and community groups who supported the updating of the trail."