New immersive Mayo tourism experience launches today
The exciting new immersive experience is being launched
The Croagh Patrick Immersive Experience, a new visitor attraction that enables people of every age and ability to experience the summit of Croagh Patrick, will be officially opened today at the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre in Murrisk.
It will be launched by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, this afternoon.
The project has been developed by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership through its social enterprise HeriTech Ventures CLG, in partnership with immersive technology specialists Sunovatech. It represents a significant six-figure investment in the refurbishment and opening of the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre, the creation of the immersive experience, and the development of Ireland's first all-season, all-weather, all-ability visitor attraction at the foot of Croagh Patrick.
Award-winning writer, director and storyteller Seamus O'Rourke contributed to the creative interpretation and storytelling within the experience.
For the first time, people who can't physically climb Croagh Patrick - because of age, disability, illness, limited mobility, fitness or weather - can still make the journey. A hyper-realistic virtual digital twin of the mountain lets them experience the emotional journey, summit and views over Clew Bay.
The experience uses body tracking rather than handsets or gaming controllers, so a visitor's own movement guides the story, making it intuitive for older visitors and those less familiar with technology.
At its centre is Saint Patrick, brought to life as host and companion, guiding visitors on the climb he made some 1,500 years ago, and connecting that ancient pilgrimage to the personal journey each visitor carries with them.
Rather than replacing the climb, the immersive experience complements it, creating a reason to visit Croagh Patrick in any weather and at any time of year, and encouraging visitors to spend more time in Murrisk, Westport and the wider Mayo region. It adds a new layer to Mayo's tourism offer as promoted through Discover Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.
The building, owned by Mayo County Council, had been vacant for a number of years. Working with the council, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership identified the opportunity to bring it back into productive use, creating the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre as a new visitor attraction and social enterprise asset at the foot of one of Ireland's most iconic mountains.
Speaking ahead of the official opening, Minister Dara Calleary said: “The view from the summit, taking in the archipelago of Clew Bay, Clare Island and the Mayo coastline, is unforgettable. This new experience gives people who may never be able to complete the physical climb an opportunity to share in that sense of wonder.”
