Three Galway based projects have been recognised for their efforts in digital innovation at the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024.
Immersive heritage experience ‘Headford Lace Trail’ took home the runner-up prize in the Digital Tourism category, while another Headford-based project, ‘Headford Online’ was chosen as the runner-up for Digital Newcomer. Another Galway initiative aimed at improving accessibility in the county for those with mobility issues was also highly commended in the Digital Community category. .ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 domain names announced the winners of the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024 at a Gala event held in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath today.
The awards are proudly sponsored by Square, the technology company that makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible and are supported by the Western Development Commission. Now in their fourth year, the .ie Digital Town Awards shine a light on local projects that have a digital element and promote the use of the internet and digital technologies.
They recognise the positive impact of digital strategies in community organisations, town groups, regional or national collaboration projects, and individual businesses across the country. A total prize fund of €60,000 was distributed across nine categories at today’s gala ceremony.
Headford Lace Trail is an immersive heritage experience with a twist, using the power of bobbin lace and geolocation to transport users to a Headford of the past and meet the people who used to live there. Accessed individually with a smartphone and headphones, the outdoor walk features site-specific interviews, drama, and specially composed music and song – all combined with rich sound design to bring the past to life.
Headford Online is an interactive website that serves as a centralised hub for diverse content, including community news, local sports coverage, tourism highlights, historical insights and details on upcoming events. The comprehensive website also features listings of community groups and local businesses, offering a valuable resource for residents and visitors alike. This initiative came to life through the Headford community’s Smart Villages training conducted by Galway Rural Development.
