Background
Bringing Life to Historical Heritage is a PEACE PLUS-funded programme launched in May 2026 at The Somme Centre, Newtownards, County Down. The initiative blends intergenerational storytelling with immersive digital technology, connecting two participant groups around key local heritage sites: the North Down Coastal Path and Whitespots Country Park.
The programme launch was officially opened by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, with community representatives, technology specialists and prospective participants in attendance.
The Deployment
The project brings together young people aged 16 to 25 and adults aged 55 and over. Older participants contribute oral histories, family stories and personal memories connected to the heritage sites. Younger participants then use AR, VR and drone technology, guided by specialist facilitators, to transform those stories into immersive digital experiences.
At the launch event, guests received hands-on demonstrations of AR and VR equipment, offering a first look at how immersive technology can add depth to heritage interpretation.
No prior experience in heritage work or digital technology is required. The project emphasises storytelling, collaboration and creativity as its core methodology.
Content and Themes
Themes emerging from the sites span geology, ecology, industrial heritage, wartime history and everyday recreational use of the landscapes across generations. Whitespots Country Park holds significant industrial lead-mining history, while the North Down Coastal Path is rich in maritime and coastal heritage.
Outcomes
The programme will culminate in a permanent and travelling exhibition presenting the heritage sites through the lens of lived experience and modern innovation.
For younger participants, the initiative provides practical training in digital production, creative media and emerging technologies, building portfolios and supporting future career opportunities.
The project is delivered by PEACE PLUS Programme partners in Ards and North Down, with Nerve Centre serving as the lead delivery organisation.
