Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Company Overview

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) is a non-profit, independent, community-led, local development organisation, with 30 years of experience delivering to communities on the ground. KLP provides a wide range of services including: training, work placements, grants and advice.

Problem to be solved

In 2019, KLP in cooperation with Pote territorial Ouest Charente, Pays du Cognac France applied for funding to develop, implement and commission a unique visitor experience for the Lingaun River Valley.

The concept that KLP had was that visitors to the historical sites in the Lingaun Valley would be able, in some way, to experience these locations and artefacts as they would have been at the time of their original construction. This feature would have the potential to enrich visitors’ experience and incite more widespread interest in the historical sites of the Lingaun Valley, which include a Megalithic Passage Tomb from the Neolithic Age among other notable artefacts.

How the Gateway delivered a solution

Walton Institute completed an initial feasibility study in 2019 which determined that an Augmented Reality (AR) based mobile application would be the best option for showcasing the artefacts and histories of the Lingaun Valley. The application would initially comprise three sites – Kilkieran, Killamery and Knockroe – with a web based Administration Dashboard being mapped out to enable KLP to not only monitor app usage metrics but also to add content for additional sites in the Lingaun region and beyond to the app.

Following the feasibility study, Walton Institute formed an interdisciplinary team that comprised: a UX/UI designer, 3D modeller, AR developer and Tester (from the MEPS and PSES Research Divisions) who worked closely with third party specialisms: an Archaeologist and Art Historian. This team worked closely together to document and model the artefacts and local histories which could then be represented in an AR mobile application. Due to Covid-19 restrictions – which could cause repercussions for site visits – Walton Institute also expanded on the initial requirements giving users an option to view the content via a Home Experience. Walton Institute also carried out onsite infrastructure and digital connectivity tests; to determine if there were any obstacles to users downloading the AR app onto their mobile devices when attending each of the sites. In addition to recommendations, Walton Institute also provided guidance and consultation to KLP for an e-Tender into setting up digital connectivity access points at each site.

Impact for the company

KLP were provided with a mobile based AR application – released to both Google Play store and App Store for Android and iOS platforms, respectively. KLP were also provided with the codebase for a web-based Administration Dashboard – for creating and editing additional sites for the app as well as monitoring usage metrics of the app.

Testimonial

“KLP was delighted that it chose to work with the Walton Institute (formerly TSSG) on the development of the ‘augmented reality’ smartphone app to provide visitors to the three selected heritage/ visitor sites in the Lingaun Valley region.  Walton Institute helps us develop the initial concept from a basic idea, and then provided the coordination on the archaeological, artistic and technical elements to develop the ‘proof of concept’ app which is seen as a starting platform for the addition of more heritage sites, both in the Lingaun Valley and elsewhere.  Walton Institute also provided excellent ‘after-sales service’ and community engagement in dealing with training issues, technical glitches, etc.  We would recommend Walton Institute as a flexible and very capable organisation for integrated projects with a technical base.“

Declan Rice, CEO