Great turnout for official launch of Tinryland’s Heritage Audio Guide

TINRYLAND’S rich history is now available for all to hear, thanks to an innovative project and a first of its kind in Co Carlow.

There was a great turnout for the recent launch of Tinryland Heritage Audio Guide in the local parish hall. Welcoming all, Liam Furlong from the local heritage group said the project was the result of a conversation the group had earlier in the year with Dr Eoin Sullivan, heritage officer with Carlow County Council.

Regarding the significant heritage of the area, it was agreed that it would be good to capture it all on an audio guide. Liam went on to say that having secured funding from the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grants Scheme, Tinryland’s rich history and heritage is now a lot more accessible through the audio guide, which has been produced by Abarta Heritage, in collaboration with Tinryland Heritage Group and the wider community.

While public access is restricted to some sites, the guide is a great way of sharing the history and culture of Tinryland and its environs. In this way, it will act as a permanent online brochure by telling Tinryland’s unique story.

Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council cllr Fergal Browne acknowledged the work of the group and all in the community who had helped. He said the fact that the guide is the first community project of its type to be carried out in the county is testament to the many local people who have managed to keep Tinryland’s history and heritage alive.

The audio guide is available free of charge on all podcast platforms and can be downloaded from the Abarta Heritage website, too.

The group also took the opportunity to mention its recent award from the Heritage Council. Speaking on behalf of the group, Bernie O’Brien said that following the successful exhibition in August to mark National Heritage Week, Making connections – Tinryland past and present, Tinryland had been selected by the Heritage Council as county winner in the 2024 National Heritage Week Awards.

The presentation of a certificate was made by the cathaoirleach and cllr Jim Deane to heritage group member Mary Ryan.

The exhibition had been opened by Reaching Out editor Maureen Byrne and layout designer Clem Delaney. Bernie said that both have voluntarily given of their time for over 30 years in producing the magazine and the exhibition could not have taken place were it not for their work and, of course, the contributions made to the publication by the community.

Bernie then called on Maureen Byrne to present the contents of the exhibition to Tinryland NS principal Orlaith Hennessy and board of management chairman John Calvey. These images have been filed in presentation folders and will be used as an educational resource on local history, which will be housed in the school for safe keeping.