New west Mayo heritage trail to be unveiled

THE Slievemore Heritage Trail in Achill will be officially unveiled on Friday, February 16.

Visitors' discovery of the three-kilometre route will be enhanced by an app that takes them back in time along the trail, which features one of Achill's best known landmarks, the Deserted Village. The trail has a number of important archaeological features and areas of interest, including court and portal tombs.

Minister of State Dara Calleary will be hand on February 16 to perform the official opening of the trail at 3 p.m. at the Deserted Village.

Achill Tourism is inviting everyone to discover the rich fabric of Achill's past as you explore the Deserted Village and megalithic tombs with the innovative mobile app, blending tradition with technology.

The immersive experience, they say, will help locals and visitors alike to gain a deeper appreciation for our cultural and historical heritage.

Produced on behalf of Mayo County Council, the Slievemore Heritage Trail app brings you on a journey through the lives of this once-thriving island community. Life was tough, so each family depended on each other to survive, until the Great Famine of 1845 spelled the end of village life.

Listen to the accounts of local people who knew the village well and learn about the folklore associated with Slievemore. See how the villagers lived by exploring a 3D re-creation of a typical cottage they would have lived in.

Use the app to unlock fascinating facts about other features along the trail, like the remains of ancient monuments nearby and tombs belonging to the earliest inhabitants of Slievemore.