Two culture and heritage audio installations with Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation have been unveiled on Limerick Greenway, adding to the visitor experience along the 40km route.
Limerick City and County Councillor Jerome Scanlan officially launched the new installations, in a celebration of West Limerick culture and heritage. The installations at Barnagh Viewing Point and by Tullig Wood, take the form of a dial-up audio box that, when turned, play traditional music and provide facts about local heritage and biodiversity. ISL interpretation will make the experience inclusive for visitors who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Designed by audio-visual interpretive specialists -“Blackbox Av”- the new installations will allow Limerick Greenway visitors to actively engage with the area’s rich local heritage. Once visitors dial-up the audio box installation, local songs such as ‘The Sweet Little Girl from Barnagh’ and ‘Rathcahill Hill’ will play. It will also provide information specific to the West Limerick region, guiding visitors on the panoramic view from Barnagh, and on biodiversity and the special protection area near Barnagh. The installation serves as an educational function, allowing users to explore and learn about the culture that has shaped West Limerick countryside.
An Irish Sign Language (ISL) interactive element will enhance accessibility where visitors who are deaf or hearing impaired can engage with an attached QR code. By using their smartphones to scan this code, visitors are directed to an ISL interpretation video of the audio installations, which displays signed versions of the history and local music featured in the installation. The videos are signed by local woman, Mary Kiely, which ensures this installation is accessible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Speaking at the launch event, Cllr. Jerome Scanlan said: “Limerick Greenway is a fantastic outdoors amenity and a historic hub for visitors, from the Victorian era railway tunnel to ancient castles, and we want this history to be accessible to all. Increasingly as we share Limerick’s rich histories, it is important to us that inclusion is considered every step of the way. My thanks to those who pushed this as an agenda for this launch”.
Kathleen Daffy, Community Resource Officer with Chime, the National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, said: “It’s great to see the work that has been done to ensure that an essential local amenity like Limerick Greenway is accessible to members of the Deaf Community, deaf and hard of hearing people. With this brand-new accessible installation, visitors who are Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing can access local heritage and music. Ensuring amenities are accessible allows everyone to connect and appreciate our shared local history. It is wonderful that Limerick City and County Council have the foresight to reach out to organisations such as Chime and the Mid-West ISL Hub to work in partnership to ensure accessibility for all. As part of International Week of Deaf People, I’m delighted and very proud to be here today with Limerick City and County Council as they launch this inclusive amenity facility. It is a reflection on what good inter-agency work can achieve”.
Eileen Coleman, Senior Executive Officer, Tourism, Festivals & Events Department, Limerick City & County Council said: “We’re delighted to bring two local heritage installations to Limerick Greenway with a taste of traditional music from the region. Set in the tranquil and scenic West Limerick countryside, Limerick Greenway is a hugely important recreational amenity and the new audio installations launched today will further enhance the experience for our visitors”.
