Latest news with #ATU
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Innovative digital travel tool to boost Sligo tourism
This new digital tool is powered by local data and expertise along with a sprinkling of AI, and allows users to generate personalised travel itineraries for visiting Sligo. It is the first tool of its kind to be introduced anywhere in Ireland, and it marks a bold step forward in how destinations can inspire and guide potential visitors. It sits on the main website and does not require any app download. The Ideas Engine uses a rich local dataset and smart AI technology to recommend experiences, attractions, and events based on each user's unique interests. Whether the user is a young family, a solo adventurer, a couple on a wellness break, a group or a music lover planning a trip around a festival — the platform responds in real time with a curated journey tailored to them. For the travel trade, this tool enables instant itinerary generation tailored to client profiles, event-inclusive travel planning thanks to live festival integration, wider regional representation, showcasing all parts of County Sligo and an inspiration-based sales resource for tour operators and travel advisors The Ideas Engine is also a helpful tool for locals who host friends or family, helping them suggest activities and events happening during their guests' stay — from surfing or playing golf, to walks and hikes and artisan food trails. For businesses like hotels it acts as visitor servicing tool and helps to save time at reception along with helping to inspire visitors on websites and social media. Outgoing Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree has welcomed its introduction and said: 'This is a transformative moment for Sligo and for tourism promotion in Ireland. The Ideas Engine reimagines how we connect with visitors — and it sets a new standard. We're proud to lead the way, thanks to the vision of our tourism team and the innovation of ATU students who helped bring it to life.' Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, Sligo is already known for its natural beauty and cultural vibrancy — and now it has the digital tools to match. The Ideas Engine is live now and available to the public and trade alike via The new initiative is already attracting a lot attention and was discussed at the National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Limerick last week.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Innovative AI-powered tourism tool launched in Co Sligo
A new AI-powered itinerary planner for visitors to Yeats County, which marks a new approach in destination marketing in the northwest, has been launched by Sligo County Council. The 'Ideas Engine', believed to be one the first platforms of its kind by a local authority, generates a personalised itinerary when users submit information about their requirements and travel dates. It was developed in partnership with the Department of Marketing, Tourism and Sport at ATU Sligo. ATU undergraduate students helped to research, audit, organise and cross check tourism related businesses and experiences in Co Sligo. Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach Declan Bree said the Ideas Engine is a "fantastic innovation" helping to promote the county. He said it will help both locals and visitors to enjoy the county's offering and added that businesses and experiences will "benefit from extra attention and footfall". The platform powered by local data and AI technology (andcan be accessed on incorporates festivals and events as well as attractions, activities and hospitality offerings. Sligo County Council Tourism Officer Aidan McCormack said the ATU students contributed significantly to the platform's marketing and the ongoing improvements. "The staff of ATU provided incredible support, particularly Dr Mary McGuckin and helped provide the undergraduate students with experience of a real-world project," he said. Mr McCormack said the new platform has been embraced by hotels, attractions and experiences, who help to promote it across "booking confirmation emails, on their websites and in person including at hotel reception desks and TVs in hotel rooms". The platform covers a plethora of amenities including Sligo Folk Park, the National Surf Centre, the National Mountain Bike Centre, Sligo Food Trail and Lissadell House. Mr McCormack said it allows the local authority to platform tourist offerings in an equitable and balanced way while giving people the information they require in one place. He said it is as valuable for local people as it is for visitors, "particularly those who have friends or family visiting or parents entertaining kids during the summer holidays."
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
North Kerry man honoured with prestigious furniture design award
Kilmoyley native Liam O'Flaherty was named as this year's recipient of the Conor Farrell Design Award at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Connemara. Mr O'Flaherty secured the prize after impressing a panel of judges with the functionality and aesthetic appeal of his statement piece, 'The Split-Stone Cabinet'. He was presented with the award by Paul Farrell, of Farrell Furniture, to become the fifth recipient of the award created in memory of the late Conor Farrell. Mr O'Flaherty said it was a 'brilliant feeling' to have his creation recognised. 'It's my highest achievement to date since I began making furniture and it gives me great confidence in my own abilities,' he said. The Kilmoyley man created the award-winning cabinet as part of his final year brief at ATU, which required the integration of Connemara Marble into a furniture product. Liam's concept evolved from an initial idea to emulate a natural break in stone. This became the defining feature of his design. 'Connemara Marble is often referred to as the 'Gemstone of Ireland. It's a highly symbolic and valued Irish material, so I was very excited to get the opportunity to use it in a project,' Liam said. The minimalist form of Liam's cabinet is influenced by mid-century design, and serves as a canvas for the Connemara Marble to stand out. 'This is not just a functional cabinet but a showcase of the beauty of Connemara Marble in an untraditional way, which is what I feel makes it so unique,' Liam explained. ADVERTISEMENT "I owe great credit to Brendan Joyce of Joyce's Marble Quarries and Lamont Stone, who helped manufacture my design to the highest standard.' Jeremy Madden, chair of Furniture Design and Manufacture at ATU Connemara, praised Mr O'Flaherty's dedication. 'It was a real pleasure to work with Liam on this project. What stood out in his work was his ability to allow Connemara Marble to speak - balancing structure, story and surface with care,' Mr Madden said. 'Liam's approach was both restrained and confident and I'm so pleased to see this honoured by the Conor Farrell Design Award." Having recently completed his studies at ATU Connemara, Mr O'Flaherty plans to establish his own workshop and begin a career in furniture design.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
North Kerry man honoured with furniture design award after creating beautiful yet functional cabinet
Kilmoyley native Liam O'Flaherty was named as this year's recipient of the Conor Farrell Design Award at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Connemara. Mr O'Flaherty secured the prize after impressing a panel of judges with the functionality and aesthetic appeal of his statement piece, 'The Split-Stone Cabinet'. He was presented with the award by Paul Farrell, of Farrell Furniture, to become the fifth recipient of the award created in memory of the late Conor Farrell. Mr O'Flaherty said it was a 'brilliant feeling' to have his creation recognised. 'It's my highest achievement to date since I began making furniture and it gives me great confidence in my own abilities,' he said. The Kilmoyley man created the award-winning cabinet as part of his final year brief at ATU, which required the integration of Connemara Marble into a furniture product. Liam's concept evolved from an initial idea to emulate a natural break in stone. This became the defining feature of his design. 'Connemara Marble is often referred to as the 'Gemstone of Ireland. It's a highly symbolic and valued Irish material, so I was very excited to get the opportunity to use it in a project,' Liam said. The minimalist form of Liam's cabinet is influenced by mid-century design, and serves as a canvas for the Connemara Marble to stand out. 'This is not just a functional cabinet but a showcase of the beauty of Connemara Marble in an untraditional way, which is what I feel makes it so unique,' Liam explained. ADVERTISEMENT "I owe great credit to Brendan Joyce of Joyce's Marble Quarries and Lamont Stone, who helped manufacture my design to the highest standard.' Jeremy Madden, chair of Furniture Design and Manufacture at ATU Connemara, praised Mr O'Flaherty's dedication. 'It was a real pleasure to work with Liam on this project. What stood out in his work was his ability to allow Connemara Marble to speak - balancing structure, story and surface with care,' Mr Madden said. 'Liam's approach was both restrained and confident and I'm so pleased to see this honoured by the Conor Farrell Design Award." Having recently completed his studies at ATU Connemara, Mr O'Flaherty plans to establish his own workshop and begin a career in furniture design.
RTÉ News
17-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Excavation in Co Sligo recovers over 1,000 artefacts from 17th century
More than 1,000 historical artefacts have been recorded during a three-week excavation of a seventeenth century fort in Co Sligo led by ATU archeologists. One of 65 bastioned forts in Ireland, the Green Fort located on Fort Hill in Sligo town is the last visible reminder of the seventeenth-century town fortifications. The Green Fort which was in existence during the Williamite Wars and the Confederate Wars is thought to have been built during the Nine Years War (1594-1603). The archeological excavation involved opening an excavation trench in the fort interior. Recorded discoveries included military artifacts as well as other artifacts which display evidence of the food, drink and smoking habits of those once stationed at the Green Fort. Dr Fiona Beglane who led the excavation told RTÉ News the artefacts recorded "include clay pipes for smoking tobacco". "We also have glass, pottery and animal bones, which are evidence of food. On the military side we have found musket balls, buttons and part of a mortar bomb." Dr Beglane also said the dig found "evidence of historic drainage works, destruction and renovation of the interior of the fort". The excavation was carried out by ATU students of the Certificate in Archaeological Excavation and Post-Excavation and the Certificate in Archaeological Field Studies. Students also came from USA, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Kosovo and the Ukraine as well as community volunteers funded by Sligo County Council. The team hoped to gain an insight into the nature of the buildings, structures and features that once occupied the fort, thus shedding light on the lives of those stationed there. A fort's primary function was to mount artillery and protect a garrison during periods of warfare. The spear-shaped bastion fort was a strategic base during the Williamite Wars as Sligo lay on the main passage between Ulster and north-west Connacht. A copy of a commemorative medal of the 1691 capture of Athlone, Galway and Sligo held in the British Museum depicts Sligo, with the Green Fort on the lower right of the medal. In 2017, Sligo County Council commissioned a conservation plan for the Green Fort in Rathquarter townland to address the long-term preservation of the monument. As part of the conservation plan, the council commissioned geophysical surveys of the Green Fort, one of seven such sites in the county. A circular feature, about 25 metres in diameter, was identified in the centre of the monument, possibly an early medieval ringfort mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, which recorded the presence of an early medieval ringfort known as Ráith dá Briotócc at the location where the Green Fort now stands within O'Boyle Public Park. Since the 1980s, different community groups have celebrated the Green Fort through enactments of Williamite attacks, public lectures, guided tours and conservation works. The Green Fort Archaeology Project was conceived two years ago following discussions between the ATU archaeologists, Dr Fiona Beglane and Dr Marion Dowd, Sligo County Council, and the National Monuments Service. The Green Fort which commands a 360-degree view of Sligo town is recognised as a national monument and it is protected under the National Monuments Act.
