Tag: festival

Find friends at Electric Picnic 2025 with new tech device

One of the biggest pet peeves at music festivals is losing your friends in the crowd. Large crowds, loud music, and misunderstood messages can cause that once in a lifetime moment that you want to enjoy with your bestie when your favourite artist comes out on stage to end up being a far less historic, solo experience.

That’s all about to change as some lucky Three+ loyalty programme customers attending Electric Picnic 2025 can now apply to pioneer an innovative new wearable tech, an Irish festival first, called the Three Friend Finder. ( Link to apply for the Three Friend Finder is here )

The Three Friend Finder, powered by Totem Labs, connects you to your friends who are also wearing the device using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) by guiding you to their location using a ring of pulsing lights and without the need for any mobile phone service, WIFI, or Bluetooth. Not only that, the lucky owners of the device will also be guided to some secret gigs and experiences taking place over the weekend of the festival.

Three Ireland, a long-standing major sponsor of Electric Picnic, has big plans again for this year’s festival, while, as usual, keeping festival goers connected all weekend with Three charging stations and reliable Wi-Fi  and making sure festival goers can share every unforgettable moment with your friends.

The Three Music Stage is back at Rankin’s Wood and is the main destination for discovering incredible new music. Once again, it will feature a host of Irish and international talent, promising to be a festival highlight.  Three+ members will also get exclusive fast-track entry to the silent disco and side-of-stage access.*

The legendary Three Charge & Chill area is back in the heart of the main arena and has become a sanctuary to recharge both phones and tired festival goers without missing any of the action.

A major highlight at Charge & Chill will be full sets by three emerging Irish artists Roe Byrne, Emily Doyle and Rebecca Lane who were chosen to perform out of over 500 TikTok artist entries as part of Three Ireland’s City Stages music project.

The Charge and Chill area also will include complimentary charging to ensure your phone is powered up all weekend, unrivalled views of the main stage from its dedicated viewing platform, exclusively for Three+ customers*. Also, stay tuned to Three Ireland’s social channels as the area will also host some last-minute surprise big name secret music performances.

Not only that, the company has this year introduced the Three+ Bus, a 52-seater bus that will travel on a daily return from Dublin to the festival grounds from Friday to Monday, and which is available on a discount to Three+ customers*.

Tanya Townsend, Senior Sponsorship Manager at Three Ireland, commented, “The organisers of Electric Picnic and Three have a similar ethos; to connect people through truly memorable moments and, of course, also to showcase and support the best of emerging Irish music artists. We are excited about the Three Music Stage line-up and in particular our three chosen City Stage artists who will perform sets at Charge and Chill and also sing with some yet to be announced globally renowned artists over the weekend. 

Tanya continued, “As a company that prides itself on pushing advanced technology, we are thrilled to also trial the Three Friend Finder at the festival, a device that helps you track your friend’s exact location without the need for mobile phone service, WIFI or Bluetooth. Who knows, perhaps this will become the must-have device for the 2026 festival season.”

*Exclusive to only Three+ customers. Show your Three+ account to avail the benefits. See full terms plus.three.ie

Why the Right Ear Plugs Matter – Especially at Concerts

Concerts are all about energy, emotion, and connection — but they’re also about sound. A lot of sound. While we expect loud music in these settings, what many people don’t realise is that just a few hours of high-volume exposure can cause long-term hearing damage. That’s why using the right ear plugs for concerts is one of the smartest choices any music lover can make.

The Hidden Risk in Live Music

Standing in front of a stage, feeling the bass through your body, and singing along to your favourite band is an incredible experience. But concert volumes regularly exceed 100 decibels — a level that can start damaging hearing in under 15 minutes. The ringing you might hear after a show isn’t just a temporary annoyance; it’s a sign that your ears have been overexposed.

And repeated exposure? That can lead to permanent hearing loss or conditions like tinnitus.

Not All Ear Plugs Are Created Equal

Some people avoid ear plugs at concerts because they think they’ll ruin the sound — muffling vocals, flattening the music, or making the experience less enjoyable. That may be true with cheap foam plugs, but not with ear plugs designed specifically for music.

High-quality ear plugs for concerts, like those from Alpine, use special acoustic filters that lower the volume without distorting the sound. This means you get the same clarity, depth, and energy — just at a safe listening level.

Everyday Protection with Alpine Ear Plugs

While concert-specific models are ideal for live events, Alpine’s broader range of ear plugs offers solutions for every situation — from sleep and travel to work and study. All are designed for comfort, durability, and effective sound reduction, so you can find exactly what fits your lifestyle.

Whether you’re blocking out city noise during your commute or protecting your ears at a music festival, Alpine ear plugs make it easy to enjoy life without putting your hearing at risk.

Listen Smart, Enjoy More

You don’t have to choose between your love of music and your long-term hearing health. With the right ear plugs, you can fully enjoy concerts, festivals, and gigs — all while giving your ears the protection they deserve.

 

TechLabs, Ireland’s only tech, electronics and lifestyle consumer expo is coming to Dublin’s RDS

From the creators of GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming and esports festival, comes TechLabs, the country’s only expo showcasing the latest advancements in consumer tech, electronics and lifestyle.  Taking place in Dublin’s RDS on Saturday, 18th October, TechLabs is set to be Ireland’s answer to Las Vegas’ CES.

Featuring leading global tech brands showcasing the latest in consumer electronics and smart technology, TechLabs is set to welcome over 10,000 tech-savvy visitors to the state-of-the-art exhibition highlighting the industry’s most cutting edge innovations.

Focusing on five key pillars, TechLabs is a free to attend event that connects consumers with the latest, most enhanced digital tech from around the world:

Urban Mobility – Discover next-generation urban mobility solutions including high performance cars and motorbikes, EVs, drones, e-scooters and e-bikes

Health and Fitness – Join the revolution of personalised health with the latest in wearable health trackers, smart fitness equipment and healthcare solutions

Audiovisual – Your gateway to entertainment with smart TVs, projectors, sound systems, headsets, home cinema, photography and action cameras

Connectivity – Get hands on with the latest smartphones, tablets, smart glasses and ultra-fast 5G connectivity that keeps everything – and everyone – connected

Computers and Gaming – Check out the very latest in PCs, high performance laptops, gaming consoles and immersive VR experiences

The event also sees the launch of the Innovation Stage, where visitors to TechLabs can experience live product demos, exclusive product launches, and expert reviews of innovative devices. It’s the go-to platform for discovering what’s new, what’s next, and what’s redefining the world of smart technology.

With 81% of Irish households embracing smart technology (according to a survey by European retailer Reichelt Elektronik), TechLabs is the perfect opportunity for tech lovers to engage with forward-thinking brands. Whether you’re a seasoned gadget fanatic or just curious about the latest in smart living, the event has something for everyone. Techlabs also comes just in time for those looking to trial products ahead of Black Friday sales and the Christmas shopping season.

TechLabs is created by the organisers of GamerFest, Ireland’s leading games convention which has welcomed over 35,000 gamers to the RDS, and the NEXUS Games Conference, a leading games industry conference bringing together global decision makers and industry leaders.

CEO of TechLabs, Stuart Dempsey, says: “We’re hugely excited to announce TechLabs, a groundbreaking, immersive new expo designed for everyone who lives and breathes technology. From next-generation smart TVs and cutting-edge wearable fitness devices to the latest in urban mobility, TechLabs will showcase the latest tech innovations ahead of the Black Friday and Christmas period.”

 

www.techlabsexpo.ie

Blast Off and Go Green with ERP’s EcoTrashShip at St. Patrick’s Festival

The European Recycling Platform (ERP), Ireland’s only pan-European compliance scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Waste Batteries continues their Sustainability Partnership with St. Patrick’s Festival, coinciding with their 20th anniversary in Ireland. ERP, in collaboration with artist group FORJA Works, has created a WEEE-inspired installation entitled ‘EcoTrashShip’ that will take festivalgoers on a mission to reduce electrical waste on Earth while reaching for the stars! With research showing that 1 in 3 people are hoarding unused or broken electrical items in their homes, ERP is encouraging everyone to Go Green and Boldy Recycle their electrical waste over the long weekend.
The ERP ‘EcoTrashShip’ is a fun, space-themed installation that stands over 16 feet tall, is fully solar powered, and is composed of more than 100 electrical items, such as TVs, laptops, phones, and cables, which are some of the most frequently recycled electrical items in Ireland. Research conducted by Coyne Research in January 2025 revealed that 1 in 5 (20%)  people in Ireland recycled old TVs in the past 12 months, 1 in 6 (17%) recycled old mobile phones, and 1 in 8 (13%) recycled old laptops. Since the WEEE Directive was launched in Ireland in 2005, ERP has collected almost 220,000 tonnes of WEEE, and 4,500 tonnes of batteries in Ireland – that’s 480 times the weight of the International Space Station!
 
This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival theme, Adventures (Eachtraí), celebrates the adventurous spirit that defines Irish culture. The ERP ‘EcoTrashShip’ aligns with this spirit by blending art and activism, aiming to inspire change and highlights ERP’s commitment to a circular future where nothing goes to waste.
James Burgess, Country General Manager of ERP Ireland said: “What if your old kettle, laptop, or hairdryer became part of a spaceship? When you recycle your electrical waste, these products are broken down, and the materials can be reused. Every wire, chip, and circuit in this spaceship has had a past life— from the gadgets we’ve outgrown to the stars we dream of — the EcoTrashShip is transforming everyday waste into something extraordinary.
 
We are excited to be working with St. Patrick’s Festival again this year to join them on eco-friendly adventure! We hope our EcoTrashShip will inspire the thousands of visitors in Dublin over the weekend to join our mission to Go Green and Boldly Recycle their old and broken electrical items!”
Richard Tierney, CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the European Recycling Platform for a second year, building on the success of our collaboration in promoting sustainability. Last year, the Trash Mammoth captured imaginations and sparked vital conversations about responsible recycling. This year, it has evolved into the EcoTrashShip—taking our mission to new heights and inspiring even more communities to embrace sustainable practices. Sustainability remains at the heart of our organisation, and by working with the European Recycling Platform, we can continue leading the way toward a greener future.”
FORJA Works ensure a circular construction process; the spaceship will be disassembled after the weekend and all materials re-purposed for future art projects. This approach transforms discarded technological components into functional and artistic materials, promoting sustainability while addressing the growing challenge of e-waste.
The EcoTrashShip installation will be on display at St. Patrick’s Park, Dublin 8, from the 15th and 16th March, 11:00am to 5:00pm.

TuneClub is an Irish founded music tutorial app

TuneClub, a revolutionary music-learning platform, is launching to transform how musicians learn, connect, and participate in live music. By blending structured digital learning with real-world music experiences, TuneClub equips learners with the tools and confidence to engage in sessions, master new skills, and make meaningful musical connections.

To celebrate its launch, TuneClub presents The Sugarloaf Sessions, an innovative new festival debuting in Bray, Co. Wicklow from 25th – 27th April 2025.

To support and encourage music educators and event organisers to develop more opportunities, TuneClub is also unveiling a €250,000 Creator Fund to foster innovative learning-driven music experiences that blend online preparation with in-person engagement.

TuneClub: A Phygital Approach to Music Learning 

Open to both learners and creators, TuneClub is a phygital (physical + digital) platform, designed to bridge online learning with live participation. Learners prepare in advance with structured pathways, interactive tools, and personalised feedback, so that they arrive at live sessions more confident and engaged.

Creators–including event organisers, music educators and artists–can monetise their expertise, blending digital learning with physical events and tapping into the Creator Fund.

The Sugarloaf Sessions 

From 25-27th April, The Sugarloaf Sessions is an exciting new learning experience designed for adult learners. Using the TuneClub app, learners start their learning journey at home before bringing their skills to life in an immersive, in-person event with fellow musicians in Bray. Students will learn tunes – and a whole lot more, including how to develop their session playing skills from skilled performers.

The Sugarloaf Sessions will be delivered by a team of expert tutors including Tim Doyle and Rachel Duffy. Dr. Liz Doherty, CEO of I Teach Trad, is advisor to the project, providing professional development training to the teaching team. If you are an adult learner, keen to level up your skills and improve your session playing, this is an experience not to be missed!

Early bird registration is now available at €150 from www.tuneclub.com  

TuneClub’s €250,000 Creator Fund 

TuneClub is investing €250,000 to help experience creators to integrate digital learning into real-world music experiences. The platform is lowering the barrier for music educators, innovators and event organisers to incorporate a digital learning aspect into their events, ensuring participants arrive better prepared, more engaged, and ready to play.

The fund is open to:

  • Music educators & masterclass hosts eager to scale their teaching into structured digital courses.
  • Festival & event organisers looking to enhance participation engagement through pre-event learning.
  • Innovators in music education creating curated masterclasses, concert-led workshops, or music travel adventures.

Applications are open for direct or co-funding support, with the successful applicants receiving financial support to access TuneClub’s digital infrastructure for learning materials, ticketing, and community-building. Events may be fully hosted on TuneClub or co-promoted across the platform’s growing user base, connecting creators to a wider international audience.

Gabe Moynagh, founder of TuneClub commented “Our vision is to make music learning more immersive, social, and rewarding. We don’t want learners just practicing in isolation—we want them gearing up for real sessions, festivals, and meaningful performances.”

He continued “We want learners to arrive ready to focus on expression and collaboration instead of feeling left behind in sessions. By integrating digital preparation with live experiences, we’re giving both learners and creators a new way to engage with music.”

With The Sugarloaf Sessions, TuneClub App, and TuneClub Creator Fund, the platform is redefining how, when, and where people learn and play music together.

For details, visit www.tuneclub.com or contact info@tuneclub.com

 

NI Science Festival set to host unmissable tech events

NI Science Festival has officially launched its 2025 programme and will host a series of tech events as part of a 12-day extravaganza that will bring science to life with hundreds of events across Northern Ireland from 12th – 23rd February.

Established in 2014, NI Science Festival has grown to become the largest celebration of its kind on the island of Ireland and one of the leading science festivals in Europe.

For its 11th edition, the festival will present more than 300 events across Northern Ireland, focusing on our rich and diverse natural environment, our engineering and manufacturing heritage, sustainability, technology, the mind and body, and much more.

NI Science Festival director Sarah Jones said: “The NI Science Festival is a celebration of science, creativity, and the world around us, designed to be engaging and enjoyable for everyone. Over 12 days, the festival will pop up in venues across Northern Ireland, showcasing the incredible work of local researchers and scientists alongside some well-known guest speakers. This year’s programme is packed with exciting events for all ages, offering something for everyone. It’s an opportunity to embrace the joy of discovery, explore the power of ideas, and celebrate the possibilities science brings to our everyday lives.”

The festival presents The Ethics of AI – Navigating the Future. Chaired by Rebecca Walsh, Matrix Panel member and Director & Head of Service Design at Big Motive, Dr. Charlotte Blease, health informaticist, and Holly Toner, Data & AI Ethics Tech Lead, Kainos, discuss the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI impacts society and decision-making.

At DroneVirus – What Made My Drones Go Rogue? Dr Vishal Sharma will provide an understanding of drones, including their inner workings, their communication weaknesses, and how even those with basic computing knowledge can exploit them for destructive purposes. The event will also highlight the importance of best coding practices and how you can explore these as potential areas of interest.

The future of AI and Humanity workshop includes talks and a panel discussion exploring technical, ethical, philosophical and theological issues on the future of AI.

At Data – Securing Our Future or Dominating Our Lives? a panel of experts will highlight some of the challenges they face and how their data driven solutions are making us safer, healthier, more productive and more sustainable, while respecting the need to ensure the privacy of the individual citizen and address the inequalities that our world unfortunately faces.

Putting cybersecurity skills to the test at Cyber Battleground: A Hands-On CTF Workshop for Offensive & Defensive Security which will explore a wide range of vulnerabilities across web applications, software, and even artificial intelligence, gaining valuable insights into both attack and defence strategies.

For more information and to view the full programme, visit nisciencefestival.com.

Beta Festival, Ireland’s art and technology festival starts today

Featuring a robot that rolls its eyes at live social media algorithms, the opportunity to reduce emissions by distracting fossil fuel companies and digital tools that investigate real-life conspiracies, Beta runs until Sunday, November 17th at The Digital Hub and wider Dublin 8 area.
Co-founded and supported by The Digital Hub, Beta has announced a full line-up of artists, exhibitions, installations and workshops that will focus on the key theme of the relationship between technology and power, with specific focus areas including artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology.
In addition, a first-of-its-kind Assembly on AI and Art will bring together leading experts in technology and culture to discuss critical areas in the arts industry which are impacted by AI and should be considered for future policy developments. AI Ambassador for Ireland Patricia Scanlon will be among the facilitators leading discussions.
Cannes Film Festival winner Noire, the Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin will make its Irish debut at this year’s Beta Festival at the Samuel Beckett Theatre from Thursday, November 7th to Sunday, November 10th. Noire tells the real-life story of 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a segregated 1950s Alabama. The production uses virtual reality to provide viewers with an immersive digital experience. Tickets for Noire are limited and range from €15 – €22.
Beta will also host an international exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance, which will explore how digital systems and algorithms shape, influence and govern our daily lives. Curated by Aisling Murray and Nora O’ Murchú, the exhibition will feature artists including Basil Al-Rawi, Tega Brain and Sam Levigne, Firas Shehadeh, and Winnie Soon and Tzu-Tung Lee among others.
Separately, the Local Artists Network will spotlight emerging Irish artists with new work from Conan McIvor and new commissions from Aisling Phelan and Cailean Finn. Both exhibitions are free of charge and will run from Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 17th. Additional workshops covering digital democracy, facial recognition technology and artist networking events are taking place over the two weeks and will be free of charge to attendees.
Events and exhibitions will take place predominantly in buildings across The Digital Hub campus, including iD8 Studio, The Bank and wider Dublin areas including Pallas Projects Studios, Fire Station Artists Studio and the Samuel Beckett Theatre.
Beta will officially launch on Friday, November 1st with events including the Assembly on AI and Art, keynote from Abeba Birhane as well as free workshops and panel discussions.
The conference over the opening weekend will cover topics from digital activism to immersive storytelling, algorithmic resistance and future archives. Tickets for the conferences are available to purchase from the Beta website from €15 – €25.
Key highlights from the weekend will include:
  • Samuel Beckett Theatre will host performances from Noire, an immersive virtual reality performance that tells the story of Claudette Colvin who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in the 1950s segregated Alabama. Directed by Stéphane Foenkinos and Pierre-Alain Giraud.
  • The Ethics Studio, a space for members of the public to engage with real ethical concerns and potential real-world impacts of new and emerging technologies developed with the festival research partner ADAPT Research Centre. This will include The Bigger Picture – an exhibition of new commissions that challenge outdated tropes and offers a more grounded, realistic portrayal of AI.
  • Keynote talks from Kay Watson, Head of Arts Technologies at London’s Serpentine Gallery and Abebe Birhane, who is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body and was featured in the TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI list.
  • International exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance, which will explore how algorithms and technology influence and impact our daily lives, with work including Cold Call, a call centre that reimagines carbon offsetting by encouraging viewers to call fossil fuel companies and distract them for as long as possible, delaying carbon-emitting activities.
The opening will take place on Friday, November 1st with a preview of the exhibition at The Digital Hub, with a reception supported by Diageo Ireland.
Aisling Murray, co-founder and director of Beta Festival, commented:
“In a moment where much of our interaction with the world is mediated by screens and dominated by AI-driven narratives —both utopian and dystopian—Beta aims to create a space where people can come together to critically explore the complexities of our digital culture. This year’s festival brings together artists, researchers, and technologists to examine the power dynamics embedded in new technologies and offer alternative approaches to how we engage with them. Through exhibitions, workshops, and discussions, we hope to empower the public with a sense of agency, encouraging them to question, resist, and rethink the platforms that shape our daily lives.
Ireland is uniquely positioned at this intersection of art, research, and technology, with a wealth of creative talent and intellectual rigor, alongside some of the world’s leading tech companies. By bringing these diverse voices into conversation, we aim to spark meaningful public engagement with the critical issues surrounding technology today. I am so grateful to The Digital Hub for supporting this project and seeing its value and relevance and am excited for this year’s edition.”
Fiach Mac Conghail, co-founder of Beta Festival and CEO of The Digital Hub, added:
“The Digital Hub has a strong track record of supporting digital technology industries, creative enterprises and community learning programmes in our Dublin 8 community and wider area. Beta aims to be a culmination of activities within the Liberties campus and act as a starting point to foster discussions on how we can make complex technologies more accessible and tangible for all communities. Beta’s programme for 2024 gives us a prime position to further these objectives and create a meaningful impact with communities interested in art and technology. We are delighted to see the return of Beta following its successful first year and look forward to seeing the work of many great artists and greet the visitors that join us for the festival from November 1st.”
The Digital Hub and Aisling Murray are being supported in its preparations for Beta by Science Week, Ambassade de France en Irlande and Institut Français, British Council, ADAPT Research Centre, Smart Dublin, Fire Station Artist’s Studio, Creative Futures Academy, The Arts Council and Pallas Projects.
Beta Festival will kick off Friday, 1st November with a variety of events and exhibitions during that time with the centrepiece exhibition, Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance and additional events at The Digital Hub running until Sunday, 17th November.
To find out more about Beta Festival 2024 and how to purchase event tickets, visit https://2024.betafestival.ie/

The European Recycling Platform Aims to Banish Unused Cables Snaking Around Irish Homes with St. Patrick’s Festival Partnership

As new research shows that 1 in 3 are hoarding up to 10 unused cables, ERP is encouraging people to go green and recycle this St. Patrick’s Weekend

 

The European Recycling Platform (ERP), Ireland’s only pan-European compliance scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Waste Batteries today announced research results by Coyne Research which revealed that 1 in 3 adults have between 5 to 10 unused electrical cables in their homes. Charging cables are the most common type of unused cables (77%), followed by USB (66%) and HDMI Cables (49%). Almost half of those surveyed keep these unused cables in a drawer in the home.

The research, commissioned by ERP, revealed that over half of all adults surveyed were aware of legislation announced by the European Council, Commission, and Parliament which requires all new smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other electronic gadgets marketed in the EU to have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. As this change comes into effect, households will likely have plenty of waste cables snaking around their homes to be recycled.

This St. Patrick’s Day, ERP is encouraging people to go green and banish unused cables from their homes – not by putting them in their domestic waste bins, but by recycling them at their nearest electrical retailer or recycling centre.

ERP Ireland was recently announced as a Sustainability Partner for this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival. As part of their partnership, ERP worked with artist Ned Leddy to create a WEEE inspired installation entitled ‘Trash Mammoth’ to raise awareness among festival goers about the importance of recycling electrical waste. Made from over 100 small electrical items and standing at 13 feet tall, the installation will be on display at St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks on 16th – 17th March.

Festival Quarter kicks off the Bank Holiday weekend at 12pm on Saturday 16th with a jam-packed family friendly programme of events including craic, ceol, dancing, games, conversation, workshops, food, and all kinds of entertainment for absolutely everybody, before Mother’s Cultúr Club takes over the site on the evening of March 16th for a massive St. Patrick’s Eve party. On March 17th, Festival Quarter will be a huge celebration of Irish culture throughout the day and night and is again completely FREE.

James Burgess, Country General Manager of ERP Ireland said: “We are excited to announce our sustainability partnership with St. Patrick’s Festival and align our purpose with the festival’s commitment to an eco-friendly St. Patrick’s celebration. This St. Patrick’s Weekend, ERP is encouraging everyone to join us in banishing unused cables from their homes and recycling them at their nearest free electrical recycling drop-off point. We believe that through such initiatives and partnerships we can collectively make a positive impact on our environment.”

Richard Tierney, CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival said: “We are delighted to partner with the European Recycling Platform in our shared mission to promote sustainability. Sustainability is one of our core organisational values, and it’s an area where we feel we can really lead from the front on. Partnering with organisations like the European Recycling Platform means we can inspire communities to embrace responsible recycling practices and pave the way for a greener future”.

Visit the MyWaste.ie website to locate your nearest free recycling drop-off point on their interactive map at www.mywaste.ie/waste-service-locator/.

Full Lineup Revealed For Belfast XR Festival With Top Extended Reality Experiences On The Bill

An innovative arts festival is set to once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees.

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad.

This year’s lineup has been confirmed to include three unique paid for experiences along with an additional three free bonus experiences available for visitors to the festival.

Appearing at the festival will be the magical VR journey through the work of Catalan architect and designer Antoni Gaudí in Gaudí, The Atelier of the Divine.

Attendees will take part in a 20 minute experience designed for small groups of six.

The story will take festival goers back to 1926 when, weakened by age and feeling his death approaching, Gaudí invites his new assistants to discover his studio, to understand his vision and complete his work.

The heart-wrenching voyage of survival Stay Alive My Son is also one of the key events, based on the internationally acclaimed memoirs of Pin Yathay, this immersive 60 minute story thrusts audiences into the shoes of a pained father forced to make the gut-wrenching decision to abandon his six-year-old son to survive during the Cambodian genocide.

The final headline experience will be Eternal, the profound exploration of eternal life, where during this 20 minute experience attendees will step into the realm of eternity with a mesmerising audio journey designed exclusively for one person, in the comfort of their own bed.

As intimate audiences of just two people per time slot climb into a bed they will delve into a profound exploration of eternal life and contemplate the sacrifices one might make for immortality.

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about.

She said: “Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.”

For attendees who purchase tickets for any of the headline events this year they will have exclusive access to three additional free experiences.

Emperor is a 40 minute long captivating virtual reality experience that delves into the mind of a father grappling with aphasia. Attendees will witness the poignant journey of a daughter striving to connect with her speechless father, uncovering the depths of his memories along the way.

Flow is a 15 minute experience where users will be swept away by the winds through what appears to be an ordinary day filled with turbulence. Encounter the sensations of smells, heat and breath, as the air currents unveil hidden presences and reveal captivating events in the life of a woman.

SEN is also a 15 minute experience where attendees will enter the mystical realm of the traditional Japanese tea room, where they’ll meet SEN, the tea spirit. As disaster strikes and SEN dissolves into the universe, it discovers unity with all beings, bringing calm to the tea room.

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand.

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

Deepa explained: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We  have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the  minute you step into The Black Box.

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more.

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com