One of Ireland’s primary tourism attractions has just caught up with 2016, after tourism body Fáilte Ireland released virtual reality (VR) videos of what tourists can expect on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Loading YouTube with both VR and 360º videos, Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way snaps have already been viewed tens of thousands of times in just a few days.
Aiming to add “another level of immersion” to a trip that brings you from the tip of Donegal right around Cork, Fáilte Ireland’s Daragh Anglim says the videos are to help promote Ireland in an “increasingly competitive” market.
The videos show things like surfing under the Cliffs of Moher, sea stack climbing and beach horse riding, as well as cycling along the Wild Atlantic Way, with LittleStar and Samsung Milk VR name-checked as supported apps.
If you aren’t really into VR, or haven’t the kit to support it, then the 360º videos are a good alternative, something that is becoming quite common on YouTube.
When you watch the videos on a desktop computer you can click and drag your cursor around to view it all from any angle. On a tablet, just tap and drag.
Interestingly, Fáilte Ireland is also now allowing users to view 15 “key” points along the route through 360º technology, using this map here. Just click on the ‘w’ symbols dotted around the west coast and click on the ‘360 view’ button.
Achill Island image via Shutterstock
