Ireland’s tourism authority has just launched 360° videos of stunning sights along The Wild Atlantic Way. This technology allows viewers to click and drag, within the footage, to view the experience from a different aspect.

The virtual reality experience allows yet another level of immersion for those interested in what Ireland has to offer or those who are planning a trip along Ireland’s west coast.

The video above, of horse-riding on Streedagh Beach close to Grand in County, Silgo, was taken by Ursula Schweizer O’Connor from Island View Riding Stables. Her video takes in the vast expanse of Streedagh Beach in Sligo, one of the most stunning stretches of sand in a county famed for its beaches.

The setting is breathtaking and in the backdrop you can spot the distinct shape of Benbulben Mountain, a sure sign you’re in the homeland of Irish poet W.B. Yeats. This area is steeped in history as well as literary lore. Just a few miles off shore the wreck of three galleons that were part of the Spanish Armada of 1588 lie in a watery grave.

These amazing 360° videos released by Failte Ireland allow viewers to tap, click or drag the video to change their viewing angle and see what’s happening around them, giving the viewer an almost life-like experience. These can be viewed on desktop and mobile websites as well as on VR Headsets, Google Cardboard.

Already the first of the 360° videos promoted publicly, Surfing at the Cliffs of Moher, has generated 150,000 views amongst potential visitors.

Along the Wild Atlantic Way there are 188 Discovery Points and Failte Ireland plans to create 360° videos for the 15 Signature Discovery Points, among them.

These include:

Malin Head, County Donegal

Fanad Head, County Donegal

Sliabh Liag, County Donegal

Mullaghmore, County Sligo

Downpatrick Head, County Mayo

Keel Beach, County Mayo

Killary Fjord, Connemara, County Galway

Derrygimlagh, Connemara, County Galway

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Loop Head, County Clare

Skellig Islands, County Kerry

Blasket Island, County Kerry

Dursey Island, County Cork

Mizen Head, County Cork

Kinsale, County Cork

The VR and 360° experiences were commissioned by Fáilte Ireland and filmed earlier this year using a combination of drone; custom built mounted back packs and gopro equipment to truly give this immersive perspective.

Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s tourism authority, recently piloted this virtual reality experience as a potential sales tool at ITB Berlin, one of the world’s largest tourism trade fairs with 10,000 exhibitors from 187 countries in attendance. Following on from the successful demonstration to the international trade, Failte Ireland is now giving everyone the chance to view the experiences for themselves.

Speaking about how Fáilte Ireland is using this technology, Head of Marketing, Daragh Anglim, said, “Using this new technology to bring almost life-like experiences to visitors as they research and book their holidays will ensure that Ireland can stand out in a crowded marketplace. Furthermore, it also proves that Ireland can compete with the best when it comes to employing emerging technologies and using innovation to drive tourism numbers.”

For more of this amazing technology visit www.WildAtlanticWay.com.