A new app has been launched today to help people navigate their way around Dublin city.

The free Walk Dublin app was designed to compliment the wayfinding system that was introduced to the city last year and is an initiative of Dublin City Council. It is currently only available on the Apple app store.



The app developers worked closely with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland to ensure that the app was of benefit to blind people navigating their way around the city.



Speaking at today's launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise Ó Muirí said the app will work well with the wayfinding and signage scheme erected around the city.



"The function of the wayfinding app is to assist people in successfully navigating their way around the city and to obtain information about the key cultural and institutional attractions in the city," he said.



"The app provides for one hundred points of interest ranging from the smaller cultural destinations to the city's national cultural destinations."



A spokesman for the National Council for the Blind of Ireland said the app would be very beneficial for visually impaired people in the city.



"This app will enable those people with sight loss who use smart phone technology to navigate safely within Dublin city, whilst at the same time finding out places of interest in their surroundings," he said.



City Manager John Tierney said the app will be a great success.



"Dublin City Council is proud to be leading the way in introducing 'Walk Dublin'. This app will enhance accessibility in and around the city greatly," he said.



"We have worked in conjunction with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland in developing the audio element of the app and I know that it will be a great success and that everyone who uses it will find it beneficial and informative."