It’s good news for tourism in Ireland, as a tourist trail for those who want to visit sites associated with the 1916 Easter Rising will be launched in 2014.

The project is inspired by Boston’s Freedom Trail, which is links locations in the city associated with the America's road to independence. The Dublin route will also include places associated with the 1798 insurrection and Robert Emmet’s short-lived rebellion of 1803.

"Some aspects of the trail, including an Independence Trail app for tourists, are likely to be available well before [the launch] date," confirmed a Department of Transport spokesperson.

Independent.ie
reports that the app to guide visitors along these historical routes will be launched in March or April. For the less technologically-minded there are plans for signposts and information boards at key locations, as well as a series of special pictorial maps designed for tourists.

These are also expected to be launched by April and will provide detailed background to iconic Easter Week locations such as the GPO, Moore Street, Boland's Mill, Mount Street Bridge, St Stephen's Green and Glasnevin Cemetery.

Failte Ireland says it has also identified a strong demand for self-guided tours related to the 1916 Rising, as well as other key events in Irish history.

The trail will run in tandem with the €4m ($5.5m) Dublinia Trail currently in operation. Running from College Green to Kilmainham, it tells the story of Dublin, with special focus on the Viking, Medieval, Norman and Anglo-Irish periods.

Tourism is worth €1.5bn ($2bn) annually to the Irish economy.