Mayo nursing home residents experience virtual tour of OPW heritage sites
THE Office of Public Works (OPW) has collaborated with St. Attracta’s Residence, Charlestown, on a special initiative to mark National Arts in Nursing Home Day.
Participants from St. Attracta’s had the opportunity to use virtual reality headsets and experience a virtual tour of an OPW heritage site from the comfort of their armchair, including the Céide Fields, the Battle of the Boyne, Newgrange and Kilkenny Castle, bringing history to life in a unique and engaging way.
Global VAM, a Belmullet-based XR company that specialises in creating immersive experiences, worked closely with the OPW on the initiative at St. Attracta’s.
Brian Lavelle, managing director, was present to provide the Virtual Reminisce Activity headsets to the residents. Global VAM provide person-centred content for nursing home residents and offer a service throughout Ireland that allows those in care settings to engage in a virtual reality experience.
General manager at St. Attracta’s, Trina Donohue, welcomed the initiative, saying: “The visit to St. Attracta’s Residence from the OPW and Global VAM was a resounding success. The residents enjoyed every part of their simulated visit to heritage sites while sitting in the comfort of their armchairs.
“This development in technology has amazing potential for those who are unable to travel as much as they did before and can really bring the world into their home.
“The Bealtaine Festival has placed a great emphasis on Art and Aging and this inclusion of technology is a fantastic step in ensuring residents don’t need to miss seeing the beautiful heritage sites Ireland has to offer.”
Commenting on the initiative, Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, said: “The OPW were delighted to collaborate with St. Attracta’s Residence on this unique project.
“This initiative, in recognition of National Arts in Nursing Home Day, is part of a broader programme of events taking place at OPW sites across the month of May for the annual Bealtaine Festival. We hope that visitors take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging and imaginative events on offer over the coming weeks at heritage sites around Ireland.
“I am also delighted to announce that on Friday, May 23, all fee-paying heritage sites across Ireland will offer free admission to senior citizens, encouraging greater engagement with Ireland’s rich cultural and historical heritage.”