Interactive Virtual 1916 Tour Launched

A new interactive virtual tour of the 1916 Easter Rising sites, events and people, has been launched as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys launched the virtual tour at Google, which developed the tour in partnership with Ireland 2016.

Narrated by actor Colin Farrell the virtual tour and exhibitions will allow millions of people around the world to share in Ireland's 2016 commemorations and learn more about the 1916 uprising right from their phone, tablet or computer.

Throughout the tour, visitors will stop at city centre locations as they are today, hear what happened there and click to explore photos, videos, stories and witness statements from the Dublin of 1916. As a person stands looking at the GPO of today, for example, they'll see the GPO as it was 100 years ago, destroyed by shell fire. They'll hear witness statements from rebels who fought there and hear stories of all the people involved. All artefacts in the tour have been curated by the National Library, Military Archives, Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, the Abbey Theatre, the Royal Irish Academy, and Trinity College Dublin Library alongside Century Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD said: "2016 is an important year that allows us to explore and understand the events not only of 1916, but the subsequent events that led to the establishment of our independent state. In acknowledging our past, we are creating stronger foundations for a more vibrant and shared future. I want to congratulate Google, Ireland 2016 and the cultural partners who have come together to create this unique online experience. They are enabling all the people of Ireland, the diaspora and others around the world to commemorate, learn about and explore the events of 1916 and the 100 years since then and to celebrate the country we are today."

(MH/CD)