I’m Siobhán Burke and I established Wordhoard in 2010 when I began working with West Cork communities on their tourism development strategies.
My background is in Higher Education, rather than tourism development or retail, but my focus has always been on helping people to get their point across and make a connection!
After writing a Ph.D. focused on 20th-century Irish literature, I worked as a lecturer and researcher at Trinity College, Dublin; Staffordshire University; and other HE institutions. I also gained lots of project management experience as the UK’s bid to widen access to Higher Education was rolled out.
But it was my 2008 move to West Cork which introduced me to working with industries where story-telling, communication, and strategic thinking all have powerful roles to play!
Tourism and recovery
The research, writing, and teaching skills I had gained in Higher Education quickly proved useful as communities worked to harness the potential of tourism and the Wild Atlantic Way to help them recover from the economic crash that had just caused such devastation to rural communities. My work in West Cork has led to a wide range of engagements with businesses and organisations across Ireland involving research, strategy development, and training at every level of the tourism industry.
Developing sustainable tourism
Responsible tourism development involves a capacity for strategic thinking and a realistic assessment of the opportunities and threats tourism can pose to communities and the environment. It draws on grassroots insights, and the strategies it creates need to be owned and acted on by communities themselves. It requires creative thinking and an ability to engage with the world from the visitor’s point of view.
Much of our work at Wordhoard is focused on helping small businesses and communities to make the most of the opportunities created by tourism brands like the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
We offer tourism consultancy services to a range of tourism businesses and organisations across Ireland, helping them to develop coherent and attractive strategies for recovery and growth.
Supporting retail SMEs online
Irish tourism depends to an unusual degree on contributions from providers whose primary business lies outside tourism.
Farming, food production, and craft businesses deliver some of the most innovative experiences available to visitors to Ireland today, and so Wordhoard’s supports often involve strong consideration of retail and sales strategies, online and off.
Wordhoard works with a range of SMEs – in tourism and beyond – on strategies and skills that help them differentiate their offers and grow their online businesses for the long term.
We keep editing academic research too, particularly in the field of international relations. It’s part of our broader commitment to empower marginalised communities across the global community. And editing international relations, is – it turns out – a great way to feel like you have travelled the world!
Recent speaking/training workshop engagements
- “Activating the Dublin Coastal Villages Plan” (Online, March 2021 & Dublin workshop, October 2022)
- “Activating the Vikings” (Waterford, December 2019)
- Craft Visitor Experience Development Workshop (Cavan, November 2019)
- “Ways to Maximise Tourism Around Norman Heritage Sites” (Wexford, March 2019)
- “Sustaining Tourism Through Experience Development” (Máire Ní Síthigh Autumn School, Courtmacsherry, October 2018)
- “Developing Craft Tourism – Global & Local Perspectives” (Laois, October 2018)
Siobhán works at lightning pace and her enthusiasm is matched by her excellent knowledge of the Irish tourism industry and offer. She brings creativity, passion and unmatched editorial skills to all her projects. Whether you are writing grant proposals, interpretation or devising regional brand offers, Siobhán will hone and develop your work to perfection. She is also a pleasure to work with and her infectious enthusiasm for product development builds confidence and engagement in your team.
Brenda Comerford (Irish Heritage Trust, Johnstown Castle)
Sustainable Development Goals
Through its support for projects that contribute to balanced regional development, social justice, and, lifelong learning, Wordhoard contributes towards the following Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 4
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
SDG 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
SDG 16
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
For a full list of Wordhoard’s policies and agreements, see here.