Stories

West of Ireland Tourism Businesses Invited to List on new ‘Ireland’s Literary West’ App

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Spot-lit.eu has developed a digital app for literature associations, organizations and SME’s to showcase their literary tourism products and services.

The ‘Ireland’s Literary West’ app will offer visitors and locals alike a new way to discover the literary landscapes and places that continue to inspire Ireland’s greatest writers, poets and playwrights.

Integrated maps in the app will enable users to see local interest points that are relevant to tourism or culture, such as hotels, museums, restaurants, public transportation, tours, trails and more.

The App will be available free for download through the Google Play Store or Apple iOS store to everyone.

We are now asking tourism businesses along Ireland’s West Coast to create a listing on the ‘Ireland’s Literary West’ app by completing this Short Form Here.

Your listing will be promoted on the app and via the Spot-lit.eu digital campaign.

Create ‘Ireland’s Literary West’ App Listing

 

 

Invitation to Tender: Visual Arts Commission for Story Book Dumfries

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Story Book Dumfries is an exciting new initiative that aims to establish Dumfries as Scotland’s home of children’s stories – a destination for families and a national cultural resource.

Our long-term mission is to bring tangible cultural, social and economic benefits to Dumfries through engagement with children’s literature and the status accorded to the town as the home of Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling at Moat Brae House.

We would like to commission an artist, or group of artists, to create a town-centre work of art that gives visual expression to Dumfries as a centre for children’s literature. This will provide the visual place-making for Story Book Dumfries, with site-specific illustration that will lead people from Dumfries Station (subject to permissions) through the town.

The key elements we’re looking for are that the installations should be:

  • Visually impactful
  • Children and family friendly
  • Literary in nature
  • Weather resistant if outside
  • Durable but non-permanent
  • Appropriate to the local context and the region’s literary assets, the most notable of which include Robert Burns and JM Barrie’s Peter Pan
  • Delivered in consultation with the local community and relevant stakeholders

Download full information on the tender here.

Story Book Dumfries will be coordinated by Wigtown Festival Company, in partnership with Moat Brae and other associate partners, as part of Spot-lit, a multinational literary tourism project funded by the EU’s Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. The launch of the initiative will coincide with Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

Deadline: 9 July 2021 at 23:55.

Please contact Isla Rosser-Owen, Cultural Producer at Wigtown Festival Company, if you have any questions: isla@wigtownbookfestival.com.

Spot-lit Business Support Toolkit and Resources.

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Spot-lit have developed a transnational Literary Product Innovation Programme using experiential learning and supports to stimulate interest and engagement within the sector as a potential business growth opportunity. 28 new literary products are being delivered across the project partner regions, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland and Scotland.

A Business Support Toolkit has been developed together with a suite of useful resources, the toolkit and resources are intended to provide a comprehensive guide to aid development of literary tourism and tourism-related enterprises in the NPA region and beyond.

View/Download The Spot-lit Business Support Toolkit and Resources HERE.

Developing Literary Tourism in The NPA Region Survey.

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Spot-lit is an EU funded project which aims to grow the literary tourism sector in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region by supporting the organisations and businesses in this culturally-rich region. The partner countries in this project include: Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Iceland. It is about enhancing the marketing of existing literary tourism assets, and to help develop new assets which can respond to emerging literary and cultural consumer needs.

As a business stakeholder we would appreciate your help and assistance. The Business Survey below is aimed at individuals/businesses/organisations operating and doing business in literary tourism sector, as well as possessing potential and influence on the development of literary tourism in Northern Periphery and Arctic Region (NPA).

Business Survey:

Purpose of the Survey

The aim of the survey is to evaluate the current state of literary tourism regarding your company/organisation/region. The objective of the survey is to help quantify both the existing and potential impacts of the development of the literary tourism sector in relation to stimulating SME activity and growth. It is about setting and understanding the baseline and identifying various business opportunities before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic.

We kindly ask if you would spend approximately 15 minutes on the survey. By answering the questions you will help complete the third evaluation of the current sectoral situation and the future prospects for literary tourism across not just in our region, but also across the Northern Periphery and Arctic areas, and beyond.

The information we collect will be used solely for the purposes of the project and in creating a Baseline Report. Individual contributions will be kept anonymous throughout. The project adheres to a strict GDPR Policy.

On behalf of SpotLit project, we greatly appreciate your time and effort to join the journey with us, the journey of “putting literary tourism on the map”!

Bloomsday 2021 in Rostrevor.

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Despite the lockdown we have been collating a collection of readings from Ulysses which we are presenting online together with some of the material from last year’s Bloomsday.

You can view the programme throughout the day on The Light Theatre Company You Tube Channel with a new premiere every hour from 12.00 to 8.00pm.

In addition we are presenting series of pop i readings outside the Rostrevor Book Club from 12.30pm. Dress up and join the fun at the only place in Northern Ireland mentioned in James Joyce’s famous novel to which a named character comes – it’s Miss Douce, a barmaid at the Ormond Hotel in the Sirens episode.

The Light Theatre Company was conceived by Director, Alistair Livingstone and Writer, Csilla Toldy as a vehicle to develop and perform high quality theatre in small alternative venues. Find Out More HERE.

Transformative Guide for SME’s in Literary Tourism.

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At the end of the Spot-lit project in June 2022, the combined learning of the 3-and-a-half-year project will be brought together, in one place by Lapland University of Applied Sciences. The creation of a ‘Transformative Guide for SMEs in Literary Tourism’ will draw together the many strands of the project to create a comprehensive resource and source of inspiration. The guide will speak to both the SMEs in the sector and for the many stakeholders who want to work with those businesses. This “Best practice literary tourism methodology/guide” will capture key learning from the Literary Tourism Industry Support Programme and its implementation process as well as other learning generated through project development and implementation.

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on literary tourism?

During the last few months Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LUAS) has proceeded to work on the Guide. The background research includes mapping the current state of literature tourism in the project area.  Data has been collected throughout the project timeline through a questionnaire with agreed set of economic indicators. Surveys have been made available to SMEs in the literature tourism field and to the public sector. Despite the various national supports available, it was clear from these surveys that the creative industry needed more support than is currently available. Literary Tourism theatres, festivals and events have been particularly badly hit. Three quarters of the Literary Tourism businesses contacted reported that they furloughed between 25% and 75% of their staff between March and November 2020. The survey respondents identified the most important digitization processes during the pandemic to be digital marketing, online campaigns and opening online stores.

Despite the huge challenges, the survey reported how Literary Tourism businesses have begun to align themselves with ‘the new tourism’ projected for a post Covid future – reshaping themselves towards more small scale, sustainable and individual tourism that takes in elements of the recreation economy. In this context, Literary Tourism is very well positioned to respond to the rising demand for ‘staycations’, integrating meaningful outdoor activities in the writer landscape with authentic cultural experiences.

The provision of mentoring and innovation supports through Spot-lit has been warmly welcomed by the 28 recipient businesses as a much needed and accessible means of bringing new products to market in a harsh economic climate.

LUAS has also been working on a “Wider context narrative” to outline the wider strategic context and impacts on project progress and implementation outcomes. The guide will be published as a concluding outcome of the project early next year. It will be circulated to key stakeholders such as national tourism development and SME support organisations, to highlight the potentially positive role of the Literary Tourism sector in market development and SME growth.

View/Download Baseline Audit of Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Literary Tourism Activity HERE.

Complete Our Developing Literary Tourism in The NPA Region Survey HERE.

14 New Literary Tourism Digital Apps Developed.

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Spot-lit.eu project partner Kajaani University of Applied Sciences have developed 14 mobile phone apps for literature associations, organisations and SME’s to showcase their literary tourism products and services. The development of these apps will further connect Literary Tourism businesses to the web of support businesses in their area. Maps will be integrated, allowing the app user to see points of interest in his/her area that are relevant to tourism or culture, such as accommodation providers, tourism attractions, museums, restaurants, artisan food and drink offerings,  public transportation, tours, trails and more.

These apps put literary tourism in the NPA on the map in a very literal way and will be available free for download through the Google Play Store or Apple iOS.

Ireland App: In Ireland one App is being produced. Complete this Short Questionnaire to have your literary offering/business included on Ireland’s Literary West APP.

Irelands Literary West – To The Words & The Wild’ is a Digital App to showcase the literary and cultural attractions along Ireland’s West Coast. It includes information about events, attractions, bookshops and visitor facilities.

The App offers visitors and locals alike a new way to the discover the stunning landscapes and literary places that continue to inspire Ireland’s greatest writers, poets and playwrights. From Donegal to Cork along the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland celebrates its literary heritage and its modern literature with festivals and events for all ages. Together, they provide rich and varied opportunities for locals and visitors alike immerse themselves in theatre, music, poetry readings, seminars, book launches, performances, workshops, competitions, screenings, talks, crafts, walks and tours.

 

 

Finland Apps.

For the Finnish region of Kainuu, seven smartphone applications are being developed by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences within the Spotlit project. The seven local applications provide an informative and modern way to explore literature and culture of the Finnish region of Kainuu.

Through the Spotlit project, applications are also trialled as an innovative way to connect local culture, businesses, and tourists. Users can conveniently browse for local hotels, tours, restaurants, events, shops, and other offers in the region. The development of the applications continues, and users are now invited to download the free applications and test the first versions  With your input, more content and features will be added in future updates. Please complete this short FORM to provide feedback on the Finland Apps.

The applications cover the municipalities where Finnish authors were born, raised, or resided of an extended period of time in their life. Titled after the municipalities, the applications are:

  • Visit Kainuu application provides a general overview of the region and includes links to the other applications.
  • Visit Kuhmo describes the Kuhmo UNESCO city of literature, Elias Lönnrot the author of the Kalevala, and the literary heritage both tangible and intangible though the Juminkeko Foundation.
  • Visit Suomussalmi describes the northernmost municipality of Kainuu, where the author Ilmari Kianto lived, and his personal experienced in a time of change in Finland.
  • Visit Puolanka describes the author Isa Asp, who was the ‘’first woman Finnish poet’’.
  • Visit Sotkamo application describes the author Veikko Huovinen, his work and life in the municipality of Sotkamo.
  • Visit Kajaani app describes both Elias Lönnrot and Eino Leino, who both lived and worked in Kajaani, the capital city of the Kainuu region.

Click HERE to complete the form to provide feedback on the Finland Apps.

Scotland Apps:In Scotland, three Literary Tourism apps are being produced.

Explore Wigtown is intended to be a “one-stop-shop” for Scotland’s National Book Town, including information about events, attractions, visitor facilities and, of course, the bookshops that give the town its identity.

A Literary Dumfries app brings together the great literary heritage of south-west Scotland in one place for the first time.

Story Book Dumfries support’s Wigtown Festival Company’s children’s Literary Tourism model.

“The apps are designed very much to be complementary,” says Wigtown Festival Company’s Adrian Turpin. “Our aim is to show that Dumfries & Galloway is a distinctly literary region with vibrant hubs of activity.”

Northern Ireland Apps: In Northern Ireland two Literary Tourism Apps are being produced.

Northern Literary Lands (NLL)

The Northern Literary Lands (NLL) consists of eleven border counties, each of which has a powerful landscape connection to either a giant of literature or a great literary text. The app provides an overview of the region and its literary giants.  It also includes information on literary places to visit, the top 10 literary landscape experiences in the region, and a number of bespoke new epic journeys which are cross -border multi literary routes. Also included is information about how to get there, hospitality and places to stay

Wilde Island Town:  WIT – Home of The Happy Prince

The App provides an overview of Oscar Wilde’s literary connection to Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the only Island town in Ireland. It describes how his first formal school, Portora Royal School in Enniskillen sparked his imagination for The Happy Prince story thereby creating a new exciting global destination for Oscar Wilde. It highlights the many places to visit in the Island Town of Enniskillen and its surrounding landscape of County Fermanagh that have resonances with Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince story and with the artist and artisan story of Oscar Wilde himself, it includes information about Enniskillen as a year round 365-day Oscar Wilde visitor destination with details of places to visit, explore and stay.

 

Joining The Dots – Literary Tourism In Peripheral Regions.

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Adrian Turpin, Spot-lit partner and artistic director of  Wigtown Festival Company speaks to us about literary tourism in south west Scotland’s peripheral regions and how collaboration is key.

“Only connect,” the English novelist EM Forster famously wrote. It’s a suggestion made for Literary Tourism. We are passionate about writers and writing at Wigtown Festival Company but we’re also aware that we’re not working in a vacuum or an ivory tower. Every day we cooperate with multiple partners – from bookshops and accommodation providers, to schools and charities, visual artists and performers. “Joining the dots” has become second nature.

There’s a reason for this, I think, as for all the Spot-Lit partners, ours is a rural region – 6,000 square miles of sparsely populated south-west Scotland. No question, Dumfries & Galloway is on the periphery: some say it’s Scotland’s forgotten region. And Scotland’s National Book Town in Wigtown is even on the edge of that, occupying its own peninsula. We are quite literally on the road to nowhere, in that great expanse, individual voices can get lost. If we don’t work together, nobody will hear us.

This reality has long shaped our approach to Literary Tourism and it continues to inform the EU funded NPA Spot-Lit project. We’ve always seen it as part of our job to identify what makes our region special and to put it at the centre of what we do.

The most obvious starting point for this is Dumfries & Galloway’s spectacular natural heritage and the beauty of its landscape. Wigtown itself is situated in a Unesco Biosphere. Almost on our doorstep lies the Galloway Forest Park, a vast paradise for mountain-bikers, birdwatchers and stargazers. The night skies are so clear here that in 2009 it became the UK’s first international Dark Sky Park. That Dark Sky designation is a beautiful, simple, idea and in turn it inspired in 2017 to set up Big Bang Weekend, a Dark Skies festival that brings scientists, stargazers and writers together in Scotland’s book town each spring.

Photo by Aaron Katz on Unsplash

Galloway’s landscape is a perennial source of inspiration at Wigtown Book Festival itself. This autumn we are planning on taking audiences on walks across Wigtown Bay’s unique saltmarsh, the subject of a new book by award-winning nature writer Stephen Rutt.  Watch the video inspired by this project

In the past, we have offered our visitors farm tours, pop-up restaurants, pilgrimage walks, a mountain trek to a Little Red Riding Hood’s cottage, foraging trips, canoe adventures, cycling tours exploring our Gaelic and Norse heritage, wild swims, and whisky tasting at the Bladnoch Distillery down the road.

Often these events offer audiences a chance to get up close and personal with writers; sometimes they are diversions from the main event – recognition that even the most ardent reader occasionally needs to lift their eyes above the page. But, in every case, they not only support existing local initiatives but add to the tale we are telling about Scotland’s Book Town, about our little corner of the country and what makes it special. After all, we are nothing if we are not in the business of narrative. And if we can’t tell our own story…

Similar thinking underpins Wigtown Book Festival’s strong tradition of visual arts. This is another of our region’s cultural strengths. The nearby town of Kirkcudbright (pronounced ker-coo-brie) was a renowned artist’s colony since Victorian time and artists and craftspeople still flock to Galloway attracted by its creative communities, cheap studio space and stunning light. When we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Book Town in 2018, it seemed natural to commission artist Astrid Jaekel (www.astridjaekel.com) to wallpaper the exteriors of the town’s buildings, a spectacular project that miraculously endured that autumn’s gale force winds and deservedly won her a coveted World Illustration Award.

Over the years, we’ve had a lot of fun doing these kinds of things. We are proud of the memorable experiences we’ve created. Or, at least, we are proud of most of them: the less said the better about the alternative Burns Supper and an ill-fated expedition to find the source of the River Bladnoch.

But the truth is that literary tourism lends itself especially well to this multidiscilpinary, lateral approach. A writer’s job is to look at what is in front of them and make connections. Readers tend to be curious folk. And everywhere – rural or urban – has a tale to be told, even places that don’t have much in the way of traditional literary heritage.

Find Out More About The EU/NPA funded Spot-lit Literary Tourism Industry Support Programme HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Literary Tourism Products Developed in Ireland.

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Cairde Sligo Arts Festival have developed two literary strands to their arts festival, Cairde Word hosted online in 2020 is a series of high-quality literary performances and a literary trail incorporating poetry, readings and performance art, details HERE. This year the festival have commissioned landscape theatre specialists LUXE to create an illuminated processional spectacle between the waters of Rosses Point and the shifting sands of Cumeen Strand. This event will also feature newly commissioned work by writer Annemarie Ní Churreáin, with sound and visuals by Laura Sheeran in collaboration with The Lighthouse Project. The event will take place on 4th September 2021.

LUXE Landscape Theatre

LUXE Landscape Theatre

Tertulia ‘A Bookshop Like No Other’.

Tertulia have been very busy during the last year in developing their Literary Tourism offering in Westport. Through Spot-lit, a new experiential product offering is being developed for visitors to Westport; half and full-day “Literature and Philosophy” events throughout the year. These events will involve speakers, workshops and debates based on the model of a mini Citizen’s Assembly, using experts and informed debates.  Tertulia have also launched a Short Story Competition for Teens. More Here.

Brid and Neil ‘Terulia a bookshop like no other’

Thoor Ballylee Development CLG.

Rooted in the fourteenth-century hiberno tower just outside Gort, Co. Galway, Thoor Ballylee Development CLG is a literary and cultural organisation with a track record of over 25 years delivering educational and artistic infrastructure, attracting visitors seeking literary and cultural tourism experiences in South Galway. Through Spot-Lit, the group contunue to work towards developing a new network connecting local people and visitors to locations and sites of international literary and artistic importance in our region.

Thoor Ballylee

Artisan House, Connemara, Galway.

Connemara has an abundance of literary and artistic associations extending over many decades and even centuries. Through the Spot-lit programme, the publishing company plans to develop a series of literary tourism guided tours in Connemara including package holidays, printed materials and maps.

Image of Gurteenacloch Renvyle by Artisan House.

Mayo Celtic Holidays Ltd./Kiltimagh Tourism Association.

The Spot-lit supported Raftery Returns Arts Festival is set to take place in Kiltimagh, between 26th September and 3rd October, celebrating the life and work of Anthony Raftery, the last Irish Bard. Included in the programme of events are creative writing and performance skills with children in the area, readings and workshops as well a literary tour through Cill Aodain and a programme to reach out to the visually impaired community. Raftery Returns Arts Festival  are also running a Poetry Competition.

Partners:

 

Associate Partners: