AR app lets visitors re-live Dublin’s history

The app will work at the city’s Docklands, an iconic space which moved Dublin through the centuries

Last week, local authorities in Dublin announced the launch of a series of new Augmented Reality (AR) apps which can bring the iconic history of the Docklands back to life. The so-called Dublin Discovery Trails – ‘Doors into Docklands’ was funded by the City Council and Fáilte Ireland, as it will immerse visitors into the history of the area.

The app will merge old and new and allow people to ‘re-live’ specific points in time, significant to the development of the city and Ireland as a country. At the same time, it is another step towards digitalising tourism, offering people the chance to go at it at their own pace, journey and discover the Docklands as a living and changing environment.

The Docklands

Dublin Discovery Trails – ‘Doors into Docklands’ will use a combination of geo-locked points, maps, 3D graphics, animations and storytelling to immerse users into the historic scenes and events from the Docklands’ past.

You can experience the Guinness barges sailing down the River Liffey or the Crimean Banquet held in a Warehouse on the Docks. The event was a massive celebration of Irish soldiers, returning from the Crimean War in 1856. It was held for the soldiers themselves and organised by then Dublin Lord Mayor Fergus Farrell.

Along the trail, people can witness ‘history come to life’ with a 360-degree view of the Custom House fires blazing in 1921, the Scherzer Bridges in 2D animation and Port workers in the Diving Bell toiling at the bottom of the sea.

The offer also has AR characters retelling stories from Captain Bligh who surveyed Dublin Bay in the 1800s or the tale of a Docker’s daughter called Maggie Doyle.

A platform for smart tourism

The Dublin Discovery Trails App and according to a statement by the city, developing the Docklands is only the first step. Indeed, multiple institutions aim to use the app as a way to increase the local tourism offer, bringing even more of Dublin’s history to life.

Paul Keeley, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland was quoted in a press statement, explaining that the tourists of today are looking for more and more unique ways to experience a destination, its heritage and history.

Apart from ‘Smart tourism’ development, the app will also help improve the flow of people in the Docklands area, freeing up more staff, while encouraging visitors to be inquisitive and stay for longer.