The Western Development Commission (WDC) has unveiled a new immersive digital experience at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in County Roscommon, positioning the West of Ireland as a living testbed for creativity, innovation and international collaboration.
The installation, developed under the WDC-led N-LITE (Literary Tourism Immersive Technology Acceleration) project, demonstrates how heritage, storytelling and cutting-edge digital tools can be combined to deliver new opportunities for enterprise and rural growth.
Backed by €1.5 million in funding from the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme, N-LITE brings together partners across Ireland, Finland, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Norway. The initiative equips creative SMEs with training and tools in immersive technologies including game engine visualisation and interactive storytelling. It aims to strengthen skills, improve competitiveness and open access to new markets.
At Rathcroghan, the WDC worked with local creatives and cultural practitioners to reimagine the legendary Cave of the Cats (Oweynagat), often described as Ireland’s “Gate to Hell.” Through immersive retelling, visitors can now experience a fusion of mythology and digital technology that highlights how the West can lead in heritage-based innovation.
All across the West, we see opportunities to use culture and creativity as drivers of innovation and growth,” said Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission. “N-LITE shows exactly what happens when the region is treated not just as a destination but as a laboratory for new ideas. Under our Unlocking Potential, Driving Change strategy, the WDC is committed to scaling projects like this with SMEs, local creators and communities so that rural Ireland leads in shaping the future of creative innovation.
Daniel Curley, Manager of Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, added: “This project combines archaeology, mythology and digital technology to bring our stories to life in new ways. It will attract new visitors, support the local economy and ensure these traditions continue to inspire audiences at home and abroad.”
The Rathcroghan installation will also feature in Tale Smiths, a free downloadable game bundle launching worldwide on the Steam platform. This will bring the region’s mythology to global audiences and further showcase the West of Ireland as a hub for creative innovation.
This initiative reflects the WDC’s 2025 to 2029 strategy to position the West as Ireland’s national testbed for innovation where cultural heritage and creativity fuel sustainable enterprise, international collaboration and future-facing growth.
