Béaloideas is an Irish word meaning "folklore" or "oral tradition"— literally translated as "mouth education." It is a fitting title for this project, as it holds true for our island culture across generations.

Preserving the living heritage, stories, and landscapes of our island communities is essential to safeguarding our shared culture. Supported by Creative Places West Cork Islands, Sherkin Island Development Society and Cork County Council over three years, this project set out to capture the memories, culture, and a way of life that define our island heritage before they fade with an aging population.

By pairing local memory with modern technology, old shortcuts and roadside place names have been accurately recorded via the AllTrails app using GPS grid references. Behind every coordinate lies an oral history— stories and memories shared by local residents that give voice to each path and landmark.

Designed as both an educational resource and an archival record, this work invites you to explore the island, discover its rich place names, and walk through its history step by step.