An upgrade likely to inspire others to follow suit.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin has always been seen as a forward-thinking attraction.
The best thing about it is that it continuously evolves and has recently received a €2 million upgrade to enhance its interactive and immersive elements.
The museum’s developers have noticed a wider shift in entertainment, where people no longer want to be passive observers.
This upgrade is likely to benefit Irish tourism and inspire other museums to modernise their approaches.
Interactivity is on the rise across popular culture – a growing trend
The recent developments at EPIC reflect a growing trend in popular culture, where people are increasingly keen to be active participants rather than passive observers.
This is best seen in the entertainment market, where there has been a much greater focus on developing interactive content in recent years.
For example, in the online casino industry, live dealer casino games are now among the most sought-after titles.
Games like Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live and Ice Fishing Live put players in touch with a live host. Dealers run the games, but players have to make decisions about things such as how much to bet.
There’s greater interactivity in other areas of entertainment as well. On platforms like YouTube, channels often go live and offer viewers the chance to comment and ask questions.
Netflix has tried to increase the amount of viewer participation on offer, too, with various choose-your-own-adventure-style titles on the platform.
What has been upgraded in the museum? – interactive elements
In line with the growing interactivity trend in mainstream culture, the development at the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has focused on adding new technological elements that deepen the immersion on offer.
For example, one addition is the interactive LED floor, which is now the largest in Ireland. This visually maps the journeys of Irish emigrants around the world and is a much more exciting way to learn about this than simply reading about migration routes.
There’s also the Isle of the Senses gallery, which introduces elements such as soundscapes and scent.
These are combined to recreate the emotions that people may feel when they leave Ireland for pastures new and give visitors an idea of what it must have been like for so many immigrants.
There’s also improved lighting and upgraded digital displays around the museum.
Visitors become active participants – opening up to a modern audience
EPIC was already a popular museum before these upgrades, but the recent developments are likely to open it up to a modern audience.
With today’s internet users conditioned to expect interactivity, they’ll be happy to see it in action at the museum.
The idea of simply walking around a museum and reading about exhibits could be coming to an end.
Now, visitors get to experience things first-hand, and this form of active involvement could allow them to create more lasting memories.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is likely to attract a wide range of new visitors thanks to these upgrades and could be a huge boost to Irish tourism. It’s also likely to inspire other museums to consider how they can become more immersive as well.
