Gaoltolaunch virtualreality Wicklow businesses among experience talented exhibitors at House
THIS summer, Wicklow Historic Gaol will launch a new virtual reality experience called ‘ The Gates of Hell’.
The fully immersive experience will transport visitors back in time to the Wicklow Gaol of the 1700s. The new experience has been made possible thanks to a €200,000 grant from Fáilte Ireland through the new Storytelling Interpretation Grants Scheme, which aims to improve the quality of animation and storytelling at existing attractions in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Emagine are the virtual reality specialists developing ‘ The Gates of Hell’ experience and, according to its Creative Director Brian Hickey, it will be ‘ like being an active witness’.
‘Imagine if you could leap into a cinema scene,’ he said. ‘We’re going to put users in a very different Wicklow Gaol, as it might have looked in the 1700s. This is one of the most exciting projects we have worked on and we have an entire team of animators and 3D artists dedicated to bringing the amazing historic world of Wicklow Gaol to life by taking storytelling to a ground-breaking new immersive level. Wicklow Historic Gaol is the jewel in the crown of the Ancient East and soon visitors from across the world will have the wonderful opportunity to leap into some of its fascinating stories.’
The family-friendly experience launches in June and will invite visitors to journey through over 200 years of life in Wicklow Gaol and experience the 1798 Rebellion, the famine era and the War of Independence through the eyes of gaol inmates. Guests will also meet many an imposing character along the way.
Paranormal activity taking place in the gaol will also play a part in the virtual reality experience.
Wicklow Enterprise Park, which operates Wicklow Historic Gaol, expects the new experience to drive even more visitors and revenue into the county.
Blaise Treacy, Chairman of the board at the enterprise park, said: ‘Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Historic Gaol management team are delighted to receive this grant support from Fáilte Ireland. Wicklow Gaol is a key attraction in County Wicklow in Ireland’s Ancient East and pivotal to the economy of Wicklow town both in terms of customer spend and job creation.
‘ Tourism growth is a key driver in the strategic plan for County Wicklow. Continually enhancing and developing our products to meet customer expectations is critical for future growth. This grant will allow that journey continue,’ he said. A NUMBER of Wicklow exhibitors will be showcasing their talent in the RDS as the interior design event House 2019 takes place next month.
House will take place from May 24 to 26 and will feature the likes of architects Dermot Bannon and Hugh Wallace, interior designers Suzie McAdam and Amanda Hilton Sawyer, alongside interior architect Róisín Lafferty.
Flying the flag for the Garden County will be Newtownmountkennedy’s Enigma Design, which is run by Steven Jones and Brendan O’Neill, who have many years experience in the design and manufacture of custom made kitchens and bespoke cabinetry, both in Ireland and abroad.
Living Earth Photography was established by photographer Aidan White in Wicklow and provides landscape and seascape photography from Ireland, in print, mount or custom framed for the home or business.
Eoin Shanley set up Copperfish Studios in Delgany in 2016 and creates beautiful lamps and lighting from salvaged and storm-fallen timber selected for its character.
Multi-award winning pet photographer Audrey Dalton offers a professional pet photography service at Pawtrait Ireland, which is based in Kilpedder.