Did you hear about this city audio tour?

By Katie O'Keeffe

A self-guided Audio Tour of the Shandon Historic Quarter will be officially launched next week.

The tour, which is free, shows users the history and the life of the area and shows where many historical characters were born and reared in the area.

Tadhg McCarthy from the Shandon Area Renewal Association explained to the Cork Independent the importance of the area: “The Shandon area is probably the most historical area of Cork city. People who hailed from there include the first Cork-born Taoiseach Jack Lynch and famous activist Mother Jones.”

Shandon is home to some of Cork’s must-see historic attractions and museums which Mr McCarthy said are included on the audio tour: “There are narrow cobbled streets leading to the famous Lenihan's Sweet Factory, the butter factory and the Shandon Bells which are all within a short distance of each other. There is so much to do.”

The Shandon area has many attractions including the Church of Saint Anne’s Shandon, with its famous tower and bells, the North Cathedral Visitor Centre, the Dominican Church of St Mary and the Firkin Crane.

Visitors to the area can climb the tower of Shandon and play the bells as well as take in the view of the city from above.

The Butter Museum gives visitors the history of the Cork’s unique butter market and Ireland’s global butter trade.

The Firkin Crane is a dance studio where performances are held throughout the year. The audio tour will inform you of these many points of interest.

The tour starts and ends on the Shandon Footbridge and meanders through the streets of the Shandon area with audio tracks voiced by Cork’s 96FM and C103 ‘Arts House’ co presenter Conor Tallon.

The tour is comprised of 23 audio tracks with associated waypoints. Each track is specific to each waypoint.

The starting point is at the Cornmarket Street side of the Shandon Footbridge.

The tracks can be accessed via a smart phone on walkingshandon.ie, a website developed by Dara Burke of Ha!Ha! Marketing.

The site development was funded by Cork City Council Heritage Department and Cathedral Credit Union.

Mr McCarthy believes it can be just as enjoyable to listen to at home: “The website makes the information more accessible and if you want to learn about the area from the comfort of your home then you can.”

The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Colm Kelleher will officially launch the audio tour on Tuesday 14 June at 7pm.

All are welcome to attend on the night for an accompanied version of the tour.