Sligo Spanish Armada

The Spanish Armada monument in Sligo, Ireland, holds great historical significance, yet it often remains unnoticed amidst the vast expanse of its remote coastal location. Tucked away in an area of serene natural beauty, far from bustling tourist destinations, this hidden gem often eludes the attention it rightfully deserves. We partnered with Sligo County Council to develop an innovative storytelling experience that would entice visitors to explore this overlooked gem and provide them with an immersive understanding of its historical context. Our solution was to create a cutting-edge AR experience that would breathe new life into the Spanish Armada monument and enable people to take a step back in time to understand how the Spanish Armada ship bound for England washed up on Streedagh Beach in 1588.

Our objective was to transport visitors back in time and grant them an unprecedented glimpse into the events surrounding the wreckage of three Spanish Armada ships and the story of the few survivors. In order to create a truly captivating experience, we meticulously crafted a full 360º reconstruction of one of the ships that washed up on the shore of Streedagh Beach where users come face to face with Captain Francisco de Cuéllar of the Spanish Armada once they climb aboard.

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By simply holding up their mobile devices, a digital overlay of a full ship will align with the outline of the existing stone monument of the ship’s stern, visitors trigger a fully immersive scene that seamlessly blends with the real-world environment as they explore. This seamless ship reconstruction that aligns perfectly with the existing half of a ship represented by the monument captivates tourists and allows them to interact with key elements of the monument's history and explore a Spanish Armada ship - all through their own phones. 

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Additionally, as users towards the captain, he begins to speak and recounts his version of events to give visitors context of how the ship ended up in Sligo. This engaging and realistic encounter adds a heightened level of immersion for visitors for a better understanding.

The augmented reality experience not only provides a stunning visual encounter but also serves as an educational tool. By incorporating a 360º ship reconstruction that seamlessly blends with the existing monument, visitors are free to explore history, gain extraordinary insights into real historical events and meet characters from times gone by. This exploration of the monument's past breathes new life into its story, enabling visitors to connect with the historical inhabitants and comprehend the realities of life during the Spanish Armada era and truly understand the events that surrounded that fatal stormy night.

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This type of AR delivered in one of Ireland’s more rural areas is aimed at leveraging the power of immersive technology to revolutionise the tourism sector in Ireland. By enhancing lesser-known and hidden sites with captivating digital experiences, we aim to incentivise travellers to explore off the beaten path. Our mission is to not only shed light on the historical significance of the Spanish Armada monument but also to revitalise rural tourism in Sligo, showcasing the region's rich heritage and cultural offerings by encouraging both domestic and international visitors to uncover a treasure trove of stories.

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Through our pioneering immersive storytelling experience, Sligo’s Spanish Armada monument is reborn as an interactive and captivating destination. By seamlessly blending the past with the present, visitors are transported back in time, uncovering the true stories surrounding the wreck of the Spanish Armada ships in a way that is totally immersive and completely personal. We are excited to contribute to the revitalisation of tourism in Sligo and inspire a new generation of visitors to explore the remarkable history hidden on Ireland’s stunning Western coast.