Utilising AR & 3D tech, the app for the 19th century Donaghmore workhouse, offers a rich historical experience via 3D models, audio, and more.
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What is Donaghmore Museum app?
Donaghmore Workhouse is a place where history and stories come alive, shedding light on the past and the lives of those who resided there during the Great Famine.
With augmented reality and 3D models, the Donaghmore Museum app bridges the gap between the past and the present, creating an immersive journey through time. By scanning artefacts, visitors unlock detailed stories through images, videos, and audio, while the 3D models vividly bring the past to life, transforming the museum experience.
The vision behind the application!
The Donaghmore Museum faced the challenge of reaching beyond its local audience. It was witnessing reduced footfall and declining tourist attraction. Aiming for a broader visitor base, especially from distant areas, was the goal. The solution was to craft an enriching, digitally enhanced experience, ensuring accessibility for all. Partnering with Square Root Solutions, the museum sought to build a cutting-edge app!
Through the app, visitors intimately engage with the workhouse’s historical essence, experiencing the residents’ way of life. The initiative has also bridged the generational gap, attracting younger audiences. Plus, the detailed information presented via interactive 3D models significantly increased footfall and visitors’ on-site duration.
The design and development of the app
The project posed unique challenges
Combining augmented reality (AR) and 3D technologies posed intricate challenges in the Donaghmore Museum App.
Achieving seamless integration between virtual elements and real artefacts demanded meticulous calibration for an authentic user experience. Ensuring stability across devices while crafting lifelike immersion remained key focal points.
Research, conceptualisation and preparation of the museum
Our approach was meticulous, beginning with an analysis of the museum’s structure, visitor demographics, and artefacts. To facilitate a seamless user experience, we developed AR markers and QR codes for each artefact, enabling effortless scanning by visitors.
Also, to ensure the best experience, we developed fully-featured native applications for both Android and iOS platforms, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge AR and 3D technologies into the apps.
The design & development phase
Simplifying navigation and ensuring interactivity were pivotal. We aimed to design an app that seamlessly complements the physical museum visit. The app’s development focused on authenticity, immersion, and accessibility.
The digital augmentation successfully enriched the physical visit, boosting engagement. Moreover, our emphasis was on creating a harmonious blend between physical artefacts and digital content, ensuring a captivating yet authentic journey for every visitor.
A look at some of the pivotal features we developed
Scanning artefacts
The app enables visitors to effortlessly scan artefacts using their smartphones, unlocking a trove of detailed information, stories, and multimedia content associated with each piece.
Place tracking
Offering a unique experience, the app integrates place tracking, allowing visitors to navigate seamlessly through the museum, ensuring they never miss a significant exhibit or point of interest.
Image detection
Leveraging cutting-edge image detection technology, the app identifies and augments the visitor’s view, enriching their understanding with engaging visual overlays and relevant information.
AR instant detection
With instant AR detection, visitors experience an immediate fusion of virtual elements with the physical world, enhancing the interactive and immersive aspects of the museum visit.
Geofencing AR
Implementing geofencing with AR technology, our app offers contextual experiences triggered by specific locations within the museum, providing tailored content at different points, and creating a more personalised visit for each guest.
National recognition and launch
The app’s pivotal moment arrived in late 2019 when Sean Canney, Minister for Rural Affairs and Communities, launched it at the historic workhouse, marking a significant milestone as the first-of-its-kind initiative in rural Ireland.
Transforming rural engagement
Visitors can immerse themselves in the challenging conditions experienced by the people who resided at the workhouse during the Famine, allowing them to deeply engage with the poignant narrative of this crucial piece of history.
A glimpse into how the app has helped
the museum in a few years
- Launched by Sean Canney, Minister for Rural Affairs.
- Attracted 57% more tourists globally.
- Experienced a 3X increase in visitor numbers.
- Positively impacted the surrounding area by 30%.
- Garnered significant appreciation for its unique approach.
- Acknowledged as the first of its kind in Rural Ireland.
Goes straight to our history books
They really exceeded our expectations. The entire Donaghmore App is fully functional and without bugs. The AR images are of super quality and we are totally in awe of the way it works. Excellent professional service, timely management, right on budget. We highly recommend them.
