Funding To Support Cultural Tourism Technology

A major €1 million fund to boost cultural tourism technology projects has been announced.

Mary Hanafin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said on Monday that the projects to be funded are those which were successful under the Cultural Technology Grant Scheme - an initiative aimed at using technology to promote Irish arts and culture announced in July of this year.

The aim of the initiative is to use a variety of the best emerging and existing technology information and communications methods to deliver a promotional, educational or information product to promote the Irish arts, culture and creative sectors and the successful projects each fulfils this aim.

The level of interest in the grant available greatly surpassed all expectations and Minister Hanafin said "the extent and calibre of the applications received is clear evidence of our national spirit of innovation and creativity and demonstrates the vital role which the arts, culture and creative sectors can play in our economic recovery".

She also said that Ireland is already well placed as a destination for the cultural tourist and the projects being funded under this initiative will further develop and support the cultural tourism product on offer in Ireland.

The scope of the successful projects is far reaching and diverse, ranging from apps for iPhones and Smartphones, to mobile websites and tours of some of our cultural tourism highlights, to online interactive games, to even a hologram show.

When complete, the projects will allow self guided tours and walks of the National Botanic Gardens; virtual and 3D tours of the extensive collections of some of our National Cultural Institutions and a number of web based digital programmes aimed specifically at children, including a dedicated children's Art Website where the creative work of children will go on display, a Digital Creativity Platform for children and an interactive online Viking game.

"The high regard and widespread popularity of both our traditional and popular music will be further promoted and developed under the initiative," she continued.

"Dublin's public art, the best of Irish theatre and opera, the ecclesiastical treasures of Co Clare and the life and poetry of Patrick Kavanagh, to mention but a view of the successful projects, will also be included," she said.

Minister Hanafin added: "Great ideas and innovations in technology are developing all the time and this initiative has allowed us to marry our innovative and creative thinking to our rich and developing cultural offering, thereby allowing us to showcase the best of our Irish art, music, culture and heritage in the most exciting, innovative and dynamic ways.

"This is the application of smart technology to culture, heritage and tradition."

(BMcC/GK)