A new state-of-the-art virtual reality experience was unveiled at Kildare Town Heritage Centre today following investment of €156,000 by Fáilte Ireland alongside financial support of €44,000 from Kildare County Council.
The ‘Legends of Kildare’ immersive 3D experience will transport visitors back in time to discover the rich heritage and mythology associated with Kildare. It is expected to draw an additional 30,000 visitors1 to Kildare Town Heritage Centre over the next five years, generating up to €1.3m in revenue for the local area.
The stories of St. Brigid and mythological legend Fionn Mac Cumhaill will be brought to life through virtual reality as well as the history of Kildare’s medieval sites including St. Brigid’s Cathedral and Round Tower and the ancient Fire Temple. Kildare’s horse racing heritage will also be showcased as part of the new experience.
The experience will be made available in French, German and Chinese which will help to draw visitors from core overseas markets.
This is one of 19 new technology-driven visitor experiences to open over the coming year across Ireland’s Ancient East as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Storytelling Interpretation Grants Scheme. This scheme is designed to transform the quality of interpretation, animation and storytelling at existing heritage and visitor attractions throughout Ireland’s Ancient East.
Officially opening the new experience today, Cllr Suzanne Doyle, Mayor of Kildare, said:
“This wonderful installation brings the art of Irish storytelling to a whole new dimension. The story captures the romance, heroism and tragedies of Kildare’s ancient past that echo in the ruins of our Abbeys and Cathedrals. It will whet the appetite of visitors to travel further and enrich their experience when visiting our ancient sites and highlight the prescience of Brigid.”
Derek Dolan, Ireland’s Ancient East Manager at Fáilte Ireland, said:
“Ireland’s Ancient East has the most extensive range of built heritage in Europe including tombs older than the pyramids, historic castles, ruined abbeys, great fortresses and amazing sites like St Brigid’s Cathedral and Round Tower here in Kildare. At Fáilte Ireland, we are always looking for opportunities to stimulate the development of brilliant visitor experiences, and the new experience at Kildare Town Heritage Centre will enhance the county’s tourism appeal. This investment as part of Ireland’s Ancient East will deliver significant growth in the number of visitors coming to Kildare, bringing greater spend and revenue to the area.”
Tom McCutcheon, Manager at the Kildare Town Heritage Centre added:
“This new and exciting experience tells the story of the Fianna, an ancient fire temple, the emergence of one of Ireland’s key monastic sites, medieval mayhem, Viking raids and the arrival of the Normans. It is an emotional journey of highs and lows that takes the visitor through thousands of years of the story of one of Ireland’s oldest towns, Kildare. It is a virtual journey that ignites the feeling of wanting to explore and see more.”
Kildare Town Heritage Centre is owned by Kildare Town Heritage. To find out more, visit: http://kildareheritage.com/
The Ireland's Ancient East Storytelling and Interpretation Grants Scheme is funded under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy with the aim of driving sustainable growth in the Irish tourism sector and higher revenue and job creation around Ireland.
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