‘TRULY West Cork’ is a new initiative designed to promote cultural tourism to the domestic visitor coming to Skibbereen, and promises to be a cultural and education experience with a special immersive day of talks and events scheduled over a full day in The West Cork Hotel in the town later this month.
The objective of ‘Truly West Cork’ is to create a focus on what potential there is to add variety for travellers visiting the area, and the aim is to promote and showcase the elements of the region that will have positive impacts that could not only benefit tourists, but also locals and businesses alike.
It aims to leave all visitors to the area savouring the uniqueness of the region on their return home.
This initiaitve is being designed by local freelance journalist and poet, Mary McCarthy, who is a postgraduate student in UCC undertaking a diploma in innovation through design thinking.
She is conducting research as part of her action design research project on what impacts upon the engagement of domestic tourists coming to West Cork and learning how to improve the visitor experience, as well as testing the commercial viability of the initiative.
The Truly West Cork experience takes place at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen on Saturday, March 22nd, and consists of a series of six events, including talks and interviews.
The line-up features Prof Paul Finucane, Professor Emeritus at the University of Limerick with ‘Making Things Happen in West Cork’.
The day also features a talk, ‘Stability’ with Dr Rosari Kingston, a medical herbalist and UCC lecturer who leads the course ‘Herbs and Healing in Irish Folklore’ at the college’s department of folklore and ethnology, as well as an interview on ‘The Shocking Truth of Climate Change’ with George Salter Townshend from Castletownshend, who will be in conversation with Siobhán Cronin, editor of The Southern Star.
In the afternoon, attendees will hear from Mary McCarthy when she delivers her talk, ‘Alive.
Creativity Lights Up the World’, and they will be treated to the ‘Future of Film and Economic Growth in West Cork’ with Steve Park of the West Cork Film Studios in Skibbereen. Later, Conor Ó Buachalla, co-founder of adventure tourism firm Gormú, will present on ‘Whispers of the Past: Hidden Folklore of West Cork’.
‘Truly West Cork invites you to immerse yourself in a day of culture, in the beauty of the eponymous region,’ said Mary.
Sponsors include Field’s SuperValu, Skibbereen and Cork County Council.
The day takes place from 9am until 5pm, and tickets are available from Thornhills Electrical in Skibbereen and also on Eventbrite at €25 each.
Please note that lunch is not included, and pre-booking your meal is advised.
