Work has begun on installing Cork’s new wayfinding scheme which is aimed at supporting visitors to navigate and learn about the city and encouraging residents and visitors to consider walking and cycling more. The city centre’s unique island layout, with river channels to its north and south, can make orientation challenging and confusing for visitors, according to Fáilte Ireland research.
Informed by best practice in orientation, the wayfinding network will include engaging interpretation around the city’s character and heritage, highlight Cork’s compact nature and help connect and therefore drive visitor footfall at existing attractions.
The new signage will include detailed location maps to help visitors better determine their current location and will also inform visitors and residents what lies within walking or cycling distance. The network includes 48 panels, with maps and interpretation, of varying size, and 10 fingerpost signs.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle said: “This signage network helps visitors and residents alike to actively engage with their surroundings, encourages them to spend more time discovering the city and its many visitor attractions and will help people realise that in Cork nothing is ever far away and many places can be reached on foot or by cycling”.
“Cork Airport is now the fastest growing airport in the country and the South is the region most visited by domestic tourists, accounting for over half of domestic overnight trips. In the past 18 months, three new hotels have opened in the city centre: the Premier Inn, Marriott and the Moxy Hotels.”.
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie O’Sullivan said: “Cork is an eminently walkable city with a rich history and vibrant cultural offering. Just this weekend, we saw venues across the city packed out for another hugely successful Guinness Cork Jazz Festival which attracted up to 100,000 people to Cork and delivered a €45 million injection into the local economy. Also last week, National Geographic named our city as one of the best cities in the world to visit”.
“A strategic objective of Fáilte Ireland and Cork City Council is to encourage international and domestic tourists to spend increased time in the city. The wayfinding network is a key element of this visitor strategy and also supports strong investment by the National Transport Authority and Cork City Council in walking and cycling infrastructure and the city’s public realm “.
Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East said: “Fáilte Ireland is committed to the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland, which serves as an essential economic driver and source of employment. We actively seek opportunities to expand the number of appealing destinations that offer compelling visitor experiences with the potential to drive visitors across the regions, which is why initiatives like our Destination Towns scheme are so important”.
“Fáilte Ireland’s work in partnership with Cork City Council will make a significant impact on the appeal of Cork. By bringing the town’s unique history and heritage to life through the new visitor signage and orientation, visitors will be encouraged to stay longer, spend more and immerse themselves in local activities and culture. We look forward to further developing Cork City’s fantastic tourism offering through our upcoming Cork City, Harbour and East Cork Destination and Experience Development Plan.”
The signage is being installed over the next 3-4 weeks. In parallel, a decluttering exercise, to remove some 100 signs and poles, has begun and will continue over the coming weeks and months. The Wayfinding project is supported by Fáilte Ireland, the NTA and Cork City Council.