Tour Guide Training – Munster Vales & Irish Walled Towns Network
We were delighted to work with such enthusiastic participants in the tour guide training course that we recently provided to stakeholders of the Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN) and the Munster Vales region. Responding to the demand for highly skilled tour guides in the area, Abarta Heritage worked with the IWTN, the Munster Vales and the Heritage Office of Tipperary County Council to created a tailor-made tour guide training course to meet the needs within the sector.
The Training Course
The training course was delivered over three days, and it focused on developing awareness of the local heritage, tour guiding management skills and tour script development skills. Three workshops took place in walled town locations throughout the Munster Vales – Buttevant, Co. Cork; Kilmallock, Co. Limerick; and Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Roisin Burke of Abarta Heritage enabled the 22 participants of the training programme to develop their skills in communications; customer service; tour guiding skills and standards; tour and time management; and health and safety. The programme was designed with specific reference to the stories of the regions and was delivered in an interactive way, with participation encouraged throughout. Participants were awarded a ‘Certificate in Tour Guiding’ by Cathaoirleach of Tipperary Council Council, Cllr Michael Murphy at ICA Hall, Fethard.
Mairéad Winters of Munster Vales highlighted the importance of enhancing skills of product providers within the Munster Vales region:
“The aim of the tour guide programme was to work with the businesses in enhancing the creation of authentic, engaging, immersive and unique cultural experiences for visitors that help to bring the stories of Ireland’s past to life.”
“The Munster Vales Region is rich with natural and built heritage and no-one can tell the story of an area like a local person can. With programmes like this, we hope to up-skill people on the ground who can share these stories effectively with their communities and visitors alike. Bringing these counties together aims to create awareness of the broader region and bring like-minded people together who can learn from shared experiences or collaborate in the future.”
