Digital Possibilites for Your Business Survey

The Get into Digital Workshop session was a ‘show and tell’ of each of the technologies below, if you missed the workshop you can view it here :

Get Into Digital Workshop Recording

Access Passcode: @crtrF*0

Augmented Reality – Mobile Devices (Virtual interaction with your surroundings via mobile devices – e.g. Pokamon Go)
3D modeling / Photogrammetry(3D imaging developed from photographs – e.g. Google Street View)
Virtual Reality(e.g. Headsets providing an imagined world available from own private space)
Augmented Reality(e.g. AR glasses / headsets providing immersive and interactive experiences which enhance real life experiences)
Character / model animation through game engine visualisation(interactive game representation of specific scenarios e.g. battle re-enactments)
3D / 360^o imaging(modelling of locations, sites etc. to enhance user experience)

In addition, we would appreciate you input into this Digital Possibilities Survey so that we can get greater visibility of your individual needs in relation to adopting digital approaches in your business.

Literary Tourism Goes Digital: Online Workshop Friday 29 April.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) Ireland, Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) Northern Ireland, Regional Council of Kainuu (RCK) Finland, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK) Finland and Troms & Finnmark Municipality (TFFK) Norway, partners in the Interreg Northern Periphery Area Programme (EU NPA) Spot-Lit Literary Tourism Development Programme, are working with other partners across the EU NPA region towards the development of a project to continue to support the development of literary tourism across the NPA region in response to the next EU funding call.

N-Lite is a project to scale and develop the sector to grow in the coming years, it will assess suitable digital technologies to develop immersive visitor experiences in the region. To this end N-Lite are hosting a one-hour online ‘Get Into Digital’ workshop where we will offer you information on how to create digital applications in your literary tourism business. The workshop will provide exemplars of the use of different digital technologies to provide you with an opportunity to reflect on how your might create digital applications in your literary tourism business to assist your business management, marketing, customer engagement, content development, and literary tourism destination.

The session will be a ‘show and tell’ of each of the technologies below:

Augmented Reality – Mobile Devices (Virtual interaction with your surroundings via mobile devices – e.g. Pokamon Go)
3D modeling / Photogrammetry(3D imaging developed from photographs – e.g. Google Street View)
Virtual Reality(e.g. Headsets providing an imagined world available from own private space)
Augmented Reality(e.g. AR glasses / headsets providing immersive and interactive experiences which enhance real life experiences)
Character / model animation through game engine visualisation(interactive game representation of specific scenarios e.g. battle re-enactments)
3D / 360^o imaging(modelling of locations, sites etc. to enhance user experience)

Our experts will outline a short introduction to the various technologies, an explanation of how they work in practice and examples of practical uses in business contexts as well as some indication of cost for creation, implementation and maintenance, know-how required in your company for development and production.

The event will be held via Zoom on Friday 29 April 2022 – from 12:00 – 13:00 (GMT)

Please REGISTER for The Workshop HERE and we look forward to your participation.

In addition to this session, appreciate you input into this Digital Possibilities Survey to participants so that we can get greater visibility of your individual needs in relation to adopting digital approaches in your business.

View Spot-lit.eu Closing Conference Recording.

Exploring the History of Lady Gregory, WB Yeats and Raifteirí an File.

A new short film has been developed highlighting the collection of Lady Gregory and the treasure trove of Coole Park artifacts contained in the Kiltartan Gregory Museum. The film highlights the connection between Raftery an file and WB Yeats to the famed Kiltartan Cross in South Galway, Ireland. Filmed in conjunction with Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society at Kiltartan Gregory Museum with support The Western Development Commission and SpotLit.eu.

Kiltartan Gregory Museum is a former National School built in 1892 at the behest of the local landlord, Sir William Gregory of Coole Park, Gort. The Museum is Largely devoted to the works of Lady Gregory (1852 – 1932), widow of Sir William. During her time there, Coole became the meeting place for writers, chief of whom was W.B. Yeats who later bought Thoor Ballylee, artists, actors, statesmen, irish language enthusiasts, folklorists and traveling musicians.

Coole Park was the home of Augusta, Lady Gregory, folklorist, dramatist, co-founder of the Abbey Theatre and catalyst for the Irish Literary Revival. As an Irish speaker and accomplished translator, playwright, and keeper of journals, Lady Gregory’s linguistic and literary ability was key to resurgence of the west of Ireland culture, with her home providing space and support for the nation’s literary and artistic giants (including Douglas Hyde, George Bernard Shaw, Sean O’Casey, Jack B. Yeats, and John Millington Synge) to create and respond to the tumultuous social and political events of the times.

Antoine Raifteirí was a nineteenth century poet whose lyrics in Irish were translated into English by both Lady Gregory and Douglas Hyde (the first president of Ireland) who later published them. Ó Raifteirí died at the house of Diarmuid Cloonan of Killeeneen, near Craughwell, County Galway, and was buried in nearby Killeeneen Cemetery. In 1900, Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, and W.B. Yeats erected a memorial stone over his grave, bearing the inscription “RAFTERY”. A statue of him stands in the village green, Craughwell.

The Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Framework Model.

The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) is not only one of the world’s longest defined coastal routes, but it is also a magical coastal route that has drawn people to Ireland’s west coast because of the natural beauty of its surrounding landscape, enchanting villages, ancient monuments, and literary heritage that has the potential to attract visitors. Ireland has long been known around the world as a country of great writers, poets, and playwrights, and the Wild Atlantic Way is no exception. The aim of the WAW Literary Performance Model was to create a bespoke and unique literary performance-based model that is economically sustainable in the future and can attract both domestic and international audiences to experience the Wild Atlantic Way’s unique literary heritage.

The Wild Atlantic Way literary Tourism Framework Model for the Republic of Ireland has been developed by The Western Development Commission. Literary Producers Dani Gill and Brendan MacEvilly have desiged a model, consisting of two major elements-an original stage show blending literature with music, film and live performance, that will travel to a number of festivals and venues along the Wild Atlantic Way, and a site-specific commissioning project based on lighthouses, that engages stakeholders across the western region and allows regional writers and artists to be part of a unique, national literary offering.

The key aims of the project were to create a bespoke programme using immersive techniques to engage people (literary enthusiasts and culturally curious) in the literature of the region.
Collaborate and engage with existing and new partners to provide co-produced literary offerings that enhance literary based experiences in the region.
Raise public awareness of contemporary literature, promoted domestically and internationally.
Engage writers regionally to be part of a paid collaboration, and stimulate legacy for the project through attracting stakeholders.
Produce a site specific work that can be launched by a major festival but that can also continue to happen in certain locations after the festival events in a self-guided fashion.

The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) Literary Performance Model focuses on enhancing and complementing the Wild Atlantic Way’s existing tourism product and its wealth of literary assets through immersive and creative performance-based activity. The model offers opportunities for the connection between physical spaces and literary works to be exploited through performance (song, dance, art, etc.) that allows visitors to feel as if they have ‘jumped into’ the related literary work, thereby stimulating enriched visits and increased business opportunities.

The WAW Literary Performance Model focuses on modern literature, but it can be applied to a broad range of literature. Find Out More About The two literary performance Models, The Lighthouse Project and The Alphabet of Birds.

Digital Innovations for Growth Literary Framework Model.

Coming into the Spot-lit project, our aim as a developer was to create a place where we could gather curated information on literature in an increasingly digital world. However, as the project progressed and the partnership worked on developing the literature models, it became clear that a single application would not capture the richness and diversity of literature across the NPA properly. Over the past three years, we worked with stakeholders from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Finland to gather information, and design applications suitable for the needs of the regions – a total of 13 applications, available on Android and iOS app stores. A number far greater than we anticipated coming into the project.

By having multiple applications, we gave each region more space to highlight the local authors, cultural assets, heritage, businesses, and events. Each app can provide insight into their area, recommend places to visit, events to participate in, and what to experience. Another benefit of multiple applications is the freedom of each region to choose the contents and visuals of their application, without needing to limit the number of assets they can showcase.

In addition to the applications, we work on an app editing platform, where local stakeholders will be able to update contents of their application without requiring software developers. For each application, a few people have been selected who will maintain the contents of the applications. Information about authors, places and events can be updated, and the built-in map makes it easy to add new locations or points of interest.

Work on the Spot-lit project has been a learning process. We balanced between the requirements of 13 applications, while ensuring that the contents and visuals meet the needs of the regions. A written guide is being prepared, to preserve the lessons learned, and provide guidance on maintaining the applications well beyond the lifetime of the Spot-lit project.

Young Peoples Literary Framework Model; Storybook Dumfries.

Wigtown Festival Company in southwest Scotland is the Scotland partner in the Spot-lit project. Wigtown Festival company literary framework model focus is to enhance their child- and family-centred literature concept, which is called Story Book Dumfries. This project aims to promote Dumfries & Galloway as Scotland’s home of children’s books, a family attraction, and a national cultural resource. In Story Book Dumfries’ case it is important to realise that it is not affiliated with any organisation. It provides a platform for a diverse group of partners who believe in the potential of children’s literature to inspire and deliver practical advantages to the Dumfries area.

Due to Covid19 the Moat Brae House in Dumfries, which was Peter Pan author JM Barrie’s childhood home, has been closed. Instead of concentrating on the Moat Brae House, the Story Book Dumfries project team has formed links with other leading organisations, such as Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and The Stove artists’ network.

The Story Book Dumfries project’s long-term goal is to deliver substantial cultural, social, and economic advantages to Dumfries through children’s literature and the town’s status as the home of Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling at Moat Brae House. The first goal was to collaborate with partners such as cultural organisations and small businesses to create a year-round calendar of events, activities, and attractions. The project’s second goal is to establish local roots by fostering the development of skills, expertise, and resources in the field of children’s literature in Dumfries. The third goal is to increase the influence of Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling and to boost its profile.

WILDETHINGS Literary Framework Model.

Spot-lit Partner Arts Over Borders celebrate the Wilde and Beckett connection to Enniskillen with the launch of two new literary products. Oscar Wilde, with the installation of 150 gold-leaf swallows on buildings around central Enniskillen and close to the new mural of The Happy Prince by Jordan Shaw, and Beckett, with 64 black and white chess board squares in 64 separate indoor locations across Enniskillen.

Oscar Wilde, the playwright, poet and wit spent seven years (1864-71) in Enniskillen at Portora Royal School. His popular fairytale The Happy Prince was inspired by Ennniskillen’s Cole Monument that stands high above the town and that Wilde could see from his dormitory window. In the story the statue of the happy prince pleads with the little swallow to stay and distribute his jewels and gold leaf to town people to make them happy. The Happy prince bestowed kindness,compassion, love and empathy on the community.

Beckett who was facinated with the game of chess , it appears in his plays Endgame and play and the novel Murphy – is being marked with 64 black and white chess board squares in 64 separate indoor locations across Enniskillen. To coincide with Wilde’s birthday, on 16th October, 32 chess pieces sculpted in bronze by artist Alan Milligan were moved in a choreographed sequence across the town by volunteers, inspired by Beckett’s TV play Quad.

Download Follow The Swallow Guide in PDF HERE.

Download Beckett Chess Set PDF http://https://www.spot-lit.eu/wp-content/uploads/beckett-chess-set-map-1.pdf

HIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince.
He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold,
for eyes he had two bright sapphires,
and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt.
(THE HAPPY PRINCE fairy tale opening lines by Oscar Wilde pub 1888).

Tertulia – A Bookshop like no other, Westport, County Mayo.

“Tertulia, a bookshop Like no other” was chosen as the name for our venture after much deliberation. We wanted it to be more than just a bookshop, we wanted to create a space for people to engage in and experience literature and philosophy. Tertulia is a Spanish word for circle of people who meet regularly to discuss literature, current affairs, life etc. We found our word and our modus operandi. Our mission is to contribute to a positive change in the way the world thinks.

Our aim with the support of Spot-Lit was to develop the bookshop in Westport as a hub for literary and philosophy events, to tap into a gap in the market for cultural and make literature and philosophy accessible and fun and useful. Olga Tokarczuk, Nobel Prize Laureate 2018, posits that how we “think” about the world and therefore how we “narrate” the world has a massive significance. Tourists and locals are encouraged to visit the shop and participate in events being held, they can then continue that connection by becoming members and participating in our on-line membership/community forums.

Through Spot-lit, a new experiential product offering has been developed for visitors to Westport; half and full-day “Literature and Philosophy” events throughout the year. These events involve speakers, workshops and debates based on the model of a mini Citizen’s Assembly, using experts and informed debates. During the pandemic events took place online via the innovative Tertulia TV YouTube show beamed into book lover’s homes throughout Mayo, the west and beyond.

In partnership with Lukasz Krzywon from Creative Together (in Cong, Co. Mayo) we began The Philosopher’s Hat Club, inviting participants to put their philosopher’s hat on and once a month to engage in a meaningful and facilitated conversation with other participants about the world we live in. The meetings are facilitated by Lukasz Krzywon from Creative Together and Brid Conroy from Tertulia bookshop. The club held numerous well attended events online in 2020/2021 and continues to grow with a full schedule of events for 2022.

Tertulia and Paper Lanterns Literary Journal have also run a Teen Short Story Competition 2021, young writers from all over Ireland competed for prizes of €250, sponsored by Tertulia in association with Spot-Lit.eu. We have also partnered with Westport Music and Arts Festival bringing fiction, debate, workshops, art, literature, authors to a wide audience in 2021. Find Out More HERE.

In 2022 we plan to host literature and philosophy days with 2-3 experts/authors and workshops for children aged 8-12 introducing them to the ideas and thinking in literature. We are also beginning a bookclub for young readers.

Contact Tertulia: https://tertuliabookshop.com/

Four New Innovative Literary Tourism Framework Models Developed.

Through the Spot-lit.eu project, four Literary Tourism Models have been developed to grow products and markets in the sector. The regional models (pilots) have now been delivered, demonstrating a high level of innovation and originality.

WILDETHINGS Literary Model: Arts Over Borders celebrate the Wilde and Beckett connection to Enniskillen, Northern Ireland with the launch of two new literary products. Oscar Wilde, with the installation of 150 gold-leaf swallows on buildings around central Enniskillen and close to the new mural of The Happy Prince by Jordan Shaw, and Beckett, with 64 black and white chess board squares in separate indoor locations across Enniskillen. Find Out More HERE.

The Wild Atlantic Way Literary Performance Model: The Western Development Commission in the west of Ireland have developed two Literary Performance Models, that focus on enhancing the existing tourism product The Wild Atlantic Way through literature, space and performance. The models have been developed and piloted, a collaboration between curator/producer Dani Gill with sound designers, visual artists and theatre makers has resulted in the creation of The Lighthouse Project, a series of walks inland in the vicinity of lighthouses.

Independent Literary Producer Brendan McEvilly has collaborated with local authors to develop a live stage show that contains visuals filmed around the west of Ireland by filmmaker Jamie Goldrick. Audiences have literature presented in a format including curated live performances in tandem with pre-recorded elements. Find Out More The Lighthouse Project and The Alphabet of Birds HERE.

Young Peoples Literary Model: Wigtown Festival Company in South West Scotland, who run the annual Wigtown Book Festival, continue to develop their child-and family-centred literature model. Story Book Dumfries to establish the main town of Dumfries & Galloway as Scotland’s home of children’s literature, a destination for families to visit and a national cultural resource. The Wigtown team has taken inspiration from the recent establishment of Scotland’s new National Centre for Children’s Literature at Moat Brae House, where Peter Pan author JM Barrie played as a child. But Story Book Dumfries is not tied to any one organisation. It offers a platform for a wide range of partners who believe in the power of children’s literature to inspire and bring tangible benefits (economic, cultural, social and educational) to the Dumfries community and beyond. Find Out More HERE.

Digital Innovation Model: The Kainuu region of Finland has led the way with the development of 13 Digital Applications to showcase the rich literary assets across the four partner regions. The Regional Council of Kainuu have worked closely with the local university, Kajaani Univercity of Applied Sciences to pioneer the use of digital technology to help literary tourism business tell their story at home and abroad and promote Literary Tourism. Find Out More HERE.

The four regional delivery outcomes together form a complementary, but united set of Literary Tourism test models devised and documented for future transferability, which reflect and capitalise on each region’s unique own sense of place and literary strengths.