Tag: museum

Canon brings ‘World Unseen’ accessible photography exhibition to Dublin

Canon UK & Ireland is proud to announce the next chapter of its ‘World Unseen’ photography exhibition, now coming to Dublin in partnership with the Photo Museum Ireland. This immersive and accessible exhibition invites visitors to experience photography in a completely new way, showcasing the power of Canon’s elevated prints technology and its impact of enriching lives and businesses.

Following its successful debut last year at Somerset House in London, and other locations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, ‘World Unseen’ will be hosted in Dublin from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th February 2026, offering a tactile and sensory experience through elevated prints, audio descriptions and braille. The exhibition is designed to make photography more inclusive and to demonstrate how technology can transform the way we engage with visual storytelling.

Visitors will encounter a series of striking images that showcase how imagery can be experienced through touch, to tell stories, communicate and evoke emotion. The adaptations not only raise awareness of accessibility in the arts but also highlight how inclusive design can enhance experiences for all audiences.

Guido Jacobs, Managing Director, Canon UK & Ireland said: “We believe that everyone should be able to experience the power of visual storytelling. ‘World Unseen’ is a testament to how technology can break down barriers and create meaningful, inclusive experiences for all.”

Trish Lambe, CEO & Artistic Director, Photo Museum Ireland said: “Photo Museum Ireland believes visual culture should be accessible to everyone. Canon’s World Unseen exhibition celebrates what’s possible when art and technology work hand in hand. By opening up new sensory pathways into photography, World Unseen invites every visitor, sighted or visually impaired, to engage with images in a deeper, more connected way. We’re proud to host it here, for free, and for everyone.”

Canon’s elevated print technology, powered by its PRISMAelevate XL software and Arizona printer series, has been used globally to support museums and galleries in making art more inclusive. This exhibition continues that mission, offering a compelling showcase of how innovation can open new possibilities for people with visual impairments.

Admission is free, and further information will be available via the Photo Museum Ireland’s website.

.ie celebrates 25 years powering Ireland online

.ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 domain names, has marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration at the EPIC Museum in Dublin, attended by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D., CEO David Curtin and key stakeholders from Ireland’s digital and business community.
Over the past 25 years, .ie has mirrored Ireland’s digital transformation. In 2000, just 20,000 .ie domains were registered. Today, that figure stands at over 330,000, a 2,000% increase demonstrating the how the .ie domain has become the quiet backbone of Irish small business success and consumer trust over the last 25 years, supporting businesses to thrive during turbulent economic times and global pandemics. Household internet access has also grown from 20.5% in 2000 to 94% today, making online connectivity standard in almost every home and an online presence an expectation of Irish consumers.
.ie is the only domain space reserved exclusively for those with an Irish connection. This level of protection underpins consumer confidence. Independent research shows that 79% of Irish consumers prefer shopping on a .ie website, recognising the trust and security it represents.
As part of the anniversary, .ie launched .ie Gives Back, a 25-day charity initiative running from 19th September to 13th October where €1 from every .ie domain registration and renewal will be donated equally to five charities: An Cosán, DSPCA, Make-A-Wish Ireland, Focus Ireland and UNICEF Ireland.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan comments,
“For 25 years, .ie has been at the heart of Ireland’s digital journey making it a cornerstone of how we do business, connect as communities and shop online with confidence. For small businesses in particular, .ie has been a leveller, allowing them to compete with larger players on a trusted, distinctly Irish platform. Today, it is as vital to our economy and communities as any other utility we depend on.”
David Curtin, CEO of .ie, adds,
 
“In 25 years, .ie has grown from a niche digital identity into critical national infrastructure. Today, more than 330,000 .ie domains carry the trust and security that Irish consumers expect. This milestone is about looking forward as much as back; at a time of uncertainty online and in the wider world, .ie will continue to provide a safe, reliable foundation for Ireland’s digital future ensuring that businesses and communities can thrive online for the next 25 years and beyond. It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to this evolution. I am proud to be part of a journey that has helped shape Ireland’s digital landscape, and I am excited for what the next chapter will bring.”
Looking ahead, and with the rise of AI, automation and evolving cyber threats, .ie will continue to focus on ensuring Ireland’s businesses, communities and citizens can thrive in a trusted and resilient online environment.
For more information visit weare.ie

Version 1 brings National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park alive with new AI-led app

Version 1, a leading digital transformation partner and The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC), home to the world’s largest collection of working historic computers, today announced the brand new TNMOC Mate application, designed to transform the museum’s visitor experience for all age groups, cultural origins, and linguistic backgrounds.

TNMOC Mate uses generative AI to present compelling exhibit information in a way that is easily understandable, making sure that the intricate details of the history and future of computing are accessible to everyone.

Exhibitions at TNMOC can be incredibly detailed, particularly as they portray cryptographic machines and the historical development of computers. These exhibits are sometimes more challenging for certain visitors to fully appreciate, including those for whom English is not their primary language, younger visitors, or those with neurodiverse profiles.

TNMOC wanted to avoid any factors that may prevent all visitors from having the same level of participation and worked with Version 1 to create the app, specifically designed for inclusivity in a way that has not previously been explored.

 “We chose to work with Version 1 because they understood exactly what we wanted to achieve. As well as having the right advanced technical expertise, Version 1 shares the goal to leverage today’s cutting-edge technology for the benefit of absolutely everyone,” said Jacqui Garrad, Museum Director at TNMOC. “We’re proud to be able to deliver educational opportunities with this accessible tool, immersing our visitors in our exceptional collection. Thanks to Version 1 for realising our vision. This undoubtedly makes us one of the most accessible museums in the world.

“Version 1’s leading capabilities in the use of generative AI, not just for improved, but also more accessible and inclusive user experience means that we are constantly pushing the boundaries to deliver on the expectation of next generation consumer interaction,” said Brad Mallard, Chief Technology Officer at Version 1. “When we worked with TNMOC to shape the vision for the app, we were excited to imagine how we could use the most cutting-edge technology with them, especially given the historic importance of Bletchley Park and its association with Alan Turing and his ground-breaking work on AI back as early as 1935. It truly delivers the inspiration of the museum exhibits in the same degree of vivid and fascinating discovery to every visitor, regardless of who they are.”

TNMOC Mate offers clear directions for seamless museum navigation, facilitated by a persona that the visitor can choose to match their age group and language preference. All the prompts are delivered in the preferred language and enhanced with audio and animated visuals. The app helps users to navigate through the museum using an interactive floor map that highlights exhibit details with simplified text and audio.

The museum will host a relaxed opening and launch of TNMOC Mate today, Wednesday 25th October, at a unique event called “Digital Future Days: Relaxed Opening and Home Educators Day” welcoming visitors to try out the technology and explore the museum in their own way against a tranquil setting.

The Heritage Council joins the National Museum of Ireland and participating local authorities in funding the digitisation of Ireland’s community archives, through iCAN

An event is being held in Wicklow today to mark a new chapter for the award-winning Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN), the leading organisation championing and supporting community archives in Ireland.

Since 2009, iCAN has supported the creation of 33 online digital archives in Clare, Cork, Galway, Mayo and Wicklow, and there are three more currently in development. Over 180 volunteers are involved in managing and supporting the existing community archives.

iCAN was established by the National Museum of Ireland and has been developed in partnership with participating local authority Heritage Officers and with support from Creative Ireland*. Today, the Heritage Council is joining iCAN as a new funding partner, which will facilitate an expansion of the initiative and the iCAN team. Together, they have ambitions to support the development of at least 80 digital archives across Ireland by 2028.

Cork County Council is the latest local authority to partner with iCAN. Having joined the network last year and taken part in training over the last few months, a new portal for County  Cork will be unveiled today. www.heritagecork.org will be home to four digital community archives supported by iCAN – Bere Island Projects Group, Kilmurry Heritage Group, Kilshannig Heritage Society and Youghal Community Archives.

iCAN community archive websites are contributory, which means that anyone, anywhere in the world can contribute their photos, maps, letters, records, stories and documents to help build the collections. As well as documenting information about local heritage sites, traditions and well-known local people, the archives are also a valuable source for genealogy and ancestry projects.

Many of the archives also include oral histories and videos and valuable resources such as local ‘census’ documents dating from before the Famine, and visitors can access digital and searchable archives relating to specific graveyards, townlands, and even houses – which in turn gives a unique and valuable insight into family records.  One initiative, which is part of the Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage archive, is called ‘Who’s been living in my house’ and is unique in Ireland in that it has digitised ‘cancelled books’ or valuation office records – allowing visitors to search who lived in houses throughout the 49 townlands in Clarecastle, County Clare, between 1855 and 1970.

The diaspora uses the iCAN community archives to connect with local groups, who in turn assist with their family history enquiries. These connections frequently result in visits to Ireland with the local group bringing visitors to ancestral homes and graves and re-connecting them with unknown or lost family members.

Several of the archives also have volunteers who are based abroad in countries such the US and Australia. The iCAN network has been visited 2,244,000 times by visitors from 215 countries, or 16,000 cities, across the world – more than 5,750,000 pages of Irish heritage content have been explored.

Members of the iCAN network from around the country are gathering in the Brockagh Resource Centre in Laragh, Co Wicklow today to celebrate the continued expansion of the network and the launch of Heritage Cork. They will also hear from keynote speaker, author, and oral historian Tomás Mac Conmara.

Director of the National Museum of Ireland, Lynn Scarff said; “Inclusivity and collaboration are at the core of iCAN, by recognising collective ownership and empowering local communities to document their own history, heritage, and culture on digital platforms. We are ambitious to support the growth of iCAN nationwide because every community deserves the opportunity to build their own digital archive that recognises the unique value of these resources both for the community and historians into the future. Much of this material is either in people’s homes, memories or in resources unique to their local community – so they are uniquely placed to record it and preserve if for future generations.”

Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said: “Volunteer archivists can so often be the unsung heroes of a community, doing incredible work to safeguard knowledge, collections, stories and local history. The information they gather and preserve is crucial in providing people with a broader sense of themselves and where they come from, and The Heritage Council is proud to be in position to contribute to this important work.”

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said; Cork County Council is very proud to launch our new Heritage Cork portal today. This website will be home to the four digital community archives in Cork that are part of the iCAN network which not only provides a secure and permanent online presence but also gives deserved recognition to the tremendous work being done by these groups to document and preserve their local heritage. The training and support provided by iCAN is wonderful and we are delighted to partner with them on this important initiative.”

Lorna Elms, Development Officer with iCAN, said; “iCAN provides volunteers with practical and technical training to support them as they establish a digital archive for their local community. The work being carried out by volunteers around the country to create and maintain these rich repositories is so valuable. They’re documenting local history and heritage in a special way that brings people from all generations together to celebrate, record and preserve their shared history, and to enjoy a shared pride of place.”

In 2020, iCAN was awarded the ‘Best Network of Archives Award’ at the highly competitive UK and Ireland Community Archive and Heritage Group (CAHG) Annual Awards. Individual members of the iCAN network have also been the recipients of county, national and international awards for their heritage work and projects.

Members of the public are invited to visit, contribute to and to volunteer with the digital archives in the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN). The full list of archives is available at www.ouririshheritage.org

Top 5 coolest museums in Ireland

The land of saints and scholars boasts a vast and varied history that can be discovered at some of the coolest museums in Ireland.

Are you the kind of traveller who loves to find out something new and interesting about each new place you visit? If so, our list of the top five coolest museums in Ireland may just appeal to you.

The Emerald Isle boasts a wealth of fascinating history that is just waiting to be discovered. From ancient kings and medieval battles to the day-to-day life of regular Irish folk throughout the generations, there is always something new to learn.

Irish people are incredibly proud of their history and will often shout about it at any given opportunity. For this reason, much is displayed in top-class museums around the country. Curious to learn more? Here are the top five coolest museums in Ireland.

  1. The Guinness Storehouse, Co. Dublin – discover everything you need to know about Ireland’s favourite drink

The Irish are known for their fond love of a drink, especially a well-poured pint of Guinness. Whether you’re a fan of the black stuff yourself or just want to see what all the fuss is about, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a must on any Ireland road trip.

During the tour, you will get to learn all about the history and process of making Ireland’s favourite drink. This fun and interactive museum allow guests to try a pint for themselves with an incredible view over Dublin, put their face on a pint, and if they’re lucky, pull their very own pint. 

Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H, Ireland

  1. Medieval Mile Museum, Co. Kilkenny – one of the coolest museums in Ireland

Located about an hour and a half south of Dublin is the medieval city of Kilkenny. This fascinating city is a must-visit for any history buffs during a visit to Ireland.

Kilkenny is known for its incredible medieval history and monuments that draw in thousands of tourists every year. From the iconic Kilkenny Castle to the amazing Medieval Mile, there is so much to discover.

The Medieval Mile trail begins with the Medieval Mile Museum, which is located on the 13th-century site of St Mary’s cruciform church and graveyard. There are plenty of treasures and artefacts to discover here, so you could spend an entire day just soaking up the history.

Address: Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 K276, Ireland

  1. Titanic Belfast, Co. Antrim – learn all about Ireland’s famous ocean liner

Set in Belfast’s aptly named Titanic Quarter, Titanic Belfast has been ranked among the world’s leading tourist attractions on numerous occasions.

The attraction first opened in 2012, marking 100 years from the anniversary of the Titanic’s tragic sinking. Since then, Titanic Belfast has welcomed thousands of visitors curious to learn all about the ship and the famous story that comes along with it.

Visitors will be guided through various exhibitions that tell the tale of Belfast and the shipyard in the early 20th-century, the construction and design of the ship, the passengers on board, the sinking of the so-called ‘unsinkable’ ship, and, finally, excavation efforts and pop culture references.

This is a truly remarkable attraction and undoubtedly one of the coolest museums in Ireland.

Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP

  1. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare – take a step back in time

Ireland is home to a huge number of folk parks that allow visitors the opportunity to discover what Ireland was like in the past. However, arguably the best of the lot (and certainly the most famous) is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare.

Located on the grounds of the 15th-century Bunratty Castle, guests can discover both the lives of the gentry and the common folk of Ireland’s Middle Ages. 

The interior of the castle is lavishly decorated to give a sense of luxury and glamour. Meanwhile, outside, you will find a reconstructed village full of thatched cottages where families would have lived, local shops, and cobbled streets.

Address: Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland

  1. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Co. Dublin – the best museum in Ireland

Topping our list of coolest museums in Ireland is the remarkable EPIC Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin. First opened in 2016, EPIC has consistently been voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction, making a visit here an absolute no-brainer.

Whether you claim Irish heritage and want to discover more about your ancestors or are just curious about the history of Irish emigration, this museum will cater for all. 

With a wide range of interactive exhibits, as well as knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, EPIC is a truly memorable visitor experience.

Address: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1, Ireland