A new cycling and arts event taking place this Sunday in Carlow aims to explore language, history, landscape and cycling.
Named "Cycles" the 18km event will bring participants on a loop through the countryside and also encourage them to listen to specially-created audio pieces on a phone app.
The experience has been developed by artists Michelle Browne and Eszter Némethi along with community members from Rathvilly, Graiguecullen, Tullow, and Hacketstown, who have been taking part in a series of workshops looking back to 1923 and imagining the future in 2123.
The cycle will start at Ducketts Grove following 10.30am registration, with people encouraged to pre-register online.
Organisers say bicycles will be available to hire on the day, along with some hand cycles, tricycles and rickshaws, and shuttle buses will be run from the above towns.
"Our event on the 24th of September will be great fun for all the family," Michelle Browne said.
"We are inviting everyone to take part in a collective cycling experience. Beginning at 10:30am at Ducketts Grove, people can come and register for the cycling loop."
The app will be triggered into playing audio pieces when those taking part cycle past key locations on the route, with stewarding provided by Carlow Sports Partnership and Carlow Road Cycling Club and gardaí managing rolling road closures.
"Along the route, there will be some unexpected installations for cyclists to enjoy," Orlaith Treacy, creative producer with Carlow Arts Festival, said.
"We will have a refreshment stop along the route to keep everyone hydrated. For children or those who might not feel able to do the full 18km, there's a shorter 3km option so all can enjoy the experience. Inside Ducketts Grove, there will be a loop inside the walled garden for young children to cycle and other games and activities."
Meanwhile, Carlow Community Choir will perform a song which was commissioned for this project, along with Carlow musicians Ye Vagabonds.
The event also has the backing of Carlow Arts Office, the County Development Partnership CLG and the county library and county museum, as well as Creative Ireland and Healthy Ireland.
