People's Discovery Visitor Experience

A new flagship experience in Ireland's Midlands to showcase Greening Ireland and the world, where visitors can experience sustainable living in action and how we can co-exist in harmony with nature.

Our social and cultural catalyst

The People’s Discovery Visitor Experience mission is to be a flagship for sustainable living to help people make sense of climate change and sustainability so they can be the change agents in their own lives, their families, communities and workplaces, opening the door to a new sustainable world for all. Its purpose is to be:

  • A major visitor attraction with an iconic visual and sensory structure, synonymous with its Greening Ireland mission and reflecting deep insight into location and purpose.
  • A place of fun, for physical, mental, and spiritual connection to the natural world, to self and to others.
  • A place of eternal energy – story telling from our past and our future that will draw in large numbers of people from all age groups and from home and abroad.
  • A driver of economic development, local employment and renewal for Irelands Hidden Heartlands.
  • A memorable name and unique positioning – welcoming, natural, everybody, and possibility – the future of Ireland.
  • A major events facility for entertainment, conferences, festivals and gatherings.
  • An accessible and inclusive space with a carbon positive footprint to drive adoption and behaviour change.
  • A social enterprise, inviting public, commercial, and non-profit partners from a variety of economic sectors (e.g. food, agriculture, transport, energy, tourism, construction) to demonstrate new innovations and engage with the public.
  • A foundation for learning, research, training and development - for families, schools, community groups and workplaces - contributing to a global network of change makers.

Objectives

  • Biggest Living Bog

    Create a living bog park, off-road trails and gardens to cultivate connections, curiosity and confidence in nature.

  • Co-create Change

    Work together with communities and stakeholders to develop an immersive and accessible Experience.

  • Climate Literacy

    Educate stakeholders and visitors to produce a climate-literate society leading to long-term behavioural change.

Expected Results

1

Experience Analysis

A fully developed business plan for the Experience with a quantitated market analysis.

2

Tracks & Trails

An outline of all feasible options and measures for paths, bog bridges, boardwalks and car parks at key sites.

3

Site Secured

Confirmed site and development consent secured for the Experience.

4

Final Plan

Detailed masterplan for the Experience, which can act as a blueprint for other initiatives.

Specific Project Actions

Implementation Actions

  • Develop a business plan and establish an operational entity
  • Site screening and assessment for the site of the Just Transition Accelerator and People's Discovery Visitor Experience
  • Review of visitor facilitation at selected sites
  • Stakeholder, partnerships and stewardship strategies
  • Final site selection and development consent

Complementary Actions

  • Sustainable construction of the People's Discovery Visitor Experience, including the programme, collections and exhibits.
  • Operate and maintain a sustainable tourist and educational attraction which delivers a highly immersive visitor experience.