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Out and about
Want to discover something new over the summer? These apps will help you out
With the days longer and the summer events season getting into full swing, there are a number of apps and services which will help take you off the beaten track.
WITH THE DAYS now long and the weather (fingers crossed) getting better, we’re coming into the major events season where there’s a lot happening across the country over the next few months.
If you want to do something a little different, or discover something new in your local area, there’s a few apps which will help take you away from the traditional events and attractions.
Foursquare
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
Foursquare has been one of those apps that’s been around for a while but hasn’t received much traction here. If you treat it like a check-in app, you’re not going to find much use for it, but look beyond that and you will find probably one of the best crowd-sourced travel guides out there.
Every cafe, restaurant and attraction is documented here and while it has more use when you’re abroad, it’s handy for discovering new places and attractions here.
AroundMe
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
More for finding amenities like shops, cinemas and other similar locations, but what it does offer is a simple yet clean design, and is useful if you’re looking for concerts or gigs in your area. It mightn’t have the same level of use as other apps on this list, but what it does, it does well.
Eventbrite
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
While the primary purpose of EventBrite’s app (listed as Events for Me on Windows Phone) is to keep track of events you’re attending, it also has a discovery function which can unveil numerous other events you may have missed first time around
There are a lot of once-off events which require you to register first (some are paid but many are free), but as a way of finding events, expos, talks, and other random events, it can bring up some nice surprises.
Discover Ireland Guide
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
To its credit, Fáilte Ireland’s official app is well designed and easy to flick through. Everything is a tap or two away, it’s clean and you can easily find a number of events or attractions to visit in your area without much effort. An app everyone should have on their phone.
Yelp
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
The better known of the apps on this list, Yelp may be associated with restaurant reviews and suggestions, but much like Foursquare, it also contains information about almost every attraction and place you can think of, once you get past the obvious tourist attractions included there, that is.
Cycle Ireland
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €4.49
Exactly how it sounds, Cycle Ireland shows every major cycle route across the country and gives as much detail about them as possible. Length, photos, possible rest areas, facilities and time taken are covered here, allowing you to be fully prepared before you set off.
You can get a free version of the app, but that only includes four routes for you to check out.
Irish Trails
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Similar to Cycle Ireland, Irish Trails shows you the best hiking, cycling and walking routes both nearby and around the country. It’s quite detailed although you will need to use Google Maps or a similar product alongside it on iPhone since the map feature could do with an upgrade.
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