Áras Uí Chonghaile, The James Connolly Visitor Centre, recently launched Belfast’s first Heritage Trail which is powered by Augmented Reality. The trail was launched by Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Paul Mullan, Paul Maskey MP and Lord Mayor of Belfast Kate Nicholl.
Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, the trail retraces prominent locations across Belfast associated with the renowned Republican and international Trade Union leader, James Connolly, and his time in the city over 100 years ago.
Paul Mullan, Director of HLF said,
‘The Heritage Fund is delighted to be supporting this project which sheds a light on a sometimes overlooked aspect of the James Connolly’s story, his role in the labour movement and his fight for worker’s rights in Belfast. The project will build on and enhance the great work which has already commenced through the James Connolly Visitor Centre.’
Underpinned by extensive research, the intergraded design team determined a series of flagship locations most associated with his time in Belfast at the turn of the last century.
The dynamic trail begins in Belfast City Hall, meanders its way through Belfast’s historical city centre, sweeping through Custom House Square, Sailortown and the Docks area, past Speaker’s Corner at Library Street, up along the Falls Road past one of Belfast’s last remaining restored working mills, before arriving at Belfast’s award winning visitor attraction, the James Connolly Visitor Centre.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl said: “Cultural and heritage organisations like Áras Uí Chonghaile have an important part to play in our city’s recovery post-Covid, and the development of this trail using the latest technology will be a huge draw for both residents and tourists alike. It offers the opportunity to discover more about the city’s history and explore the stories that make Belfast what it is today in an accessible format, which is just fantastic.
“One of the four key priorities in our 10 year cultural strategy, A City Imagining, is about protecting and promoting cultural heritage including Belfast’s diverse cultural narratives. The James Connolly Heritage Trail ticks all of those boxes.”
Eimear Hargey, Heritage Development Officer at Áras Uí Chonghaile said,
‘Despite the challenges raised by the global pandemic, we are thrilled to bring forward this groundbreaking Heritage Trail, the first of its kind in Belfast to be powered by Augmented Reality. The free downloadable app from both iOS and Android App stores will allow for local citizens and visitors alike to uncover the hidden story of James Connolly in Belfast and present them with Belfast’s heritage at their fingertips. We’re delighted to partner with Féile an Phobail, Ireland’s biggest Community Arts festival, to offer a guided tour that will complement the Augmented Reality experience.
You can book your tour now online at: www.arasuichonghaile.com/heritagetrail
Harry Connolly, Director of Fáilte Feirste Thiar, praised the initiative,
‘As Belfast emerges from the COVID-19 crisis and as we rebuild our communities and our tourism infrastructure, we are delighted that this heritage centred tourism product powered by the latest Augmented Reality technology will form a core part of Belfast’s and indeed west Belfast’s tourism offering. This new product will ensure that the opportunities associated with tourism are maximised at a local level as it will encourage visitors to neighbourhoods and communities as well as inviting them to explore Belfast’s historical city centre. We want to thank National Lottery Heritage Fund for their continued support, especially during the challenges of COVID. We are thrilled to have worked with market-leading heritage and exhibition consultants Redhead Exhibition and award-winning creative design company Yellow Design.”
For more information on the James Connolly Visitor Centre follow the link: www.arasuichonghaile.com
