New interactive ‘Viking’ experience unveiled at Tayto Park
A brand-new interactive experience was unveiled today at Ireland’s largest flume attraction, The Viking Voyage at Tayto Park following a €187,000 investment of by Fáilte Ireland. Visitors to Tayto Park will be transported back in time to Viking Ireland through an interactive and sensory experience.
The new addition to Ireland's only theme park was launched by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD and Founder of Tayto Park, Raymond Coyle.
The latest development at Tayto Park will give visitors an immersive queuing experience where they will be transported back in time to 1014AD to join Viking raiders as they descend on Ireland.
Upon arrival, guests to the Viking Voyage at Tayto Park will hear the echoing voices of Viking Odin as he calls out over a mist machine projection to rally guests to help the Vikings beat the mighty Irish clans. Visitors will also put their Viking skills to the test – including speed and agility - to make it onto the longships and have the opportunity to feast like a Viking at the Halls of Valhalla before making their way onto the Viking Voyage boat.
The new experience is expected to bring 25,000 more tourists and €1.1million in revenue to the local area over the next five years. It will showcase stories of Viking settlements in Ireland’s Ancient East and will cost a total of €246,000. The new queuing system has been created by Katapult Design.
Officially opening the new experience at Tayto Park today, Minister of State Brendan Griffin, said:
“The Government is proud to support innovation in tourism and I commend Fáilte Ireland for its investment in this project to bring to life Ireland’s Ancient East and the Viking story at Tayto Park. Tourism is a highly competitive market and funding like this is critical in ensuring that Ireland stands out in the international marketplace and that the tourism sector can continue to make great economic and social contributions to our country.”
Speaking at the launch, Founder of Tayto Park, Raymond Coyle said:
“Here at Tayto Park we’re always striving to provide the best possible experience for our visitors. Ireland’s Ancient East is full of history and what better way to showcase this than through our Viking Voyage flume attraction. Using state-of-the-art technology, the latest queuing systems will capture the imaginations of our visitors in a fun and interactive way while learning about significant events of Ireland’s past”.
Mark Mohan, Ireland’s Ancient East Manager at Fáilte Ireland added:
“At Fáilte Ireland, we are always looking for opportunities to stimulate the development of brilliant visitor experiences, and the new interactive features at the Viking Voyage are a testament to what can be achieved through investment and innovation. This immersive experience will hugely appeal to our core overseas markets who actively look for the opportunity to take part instead of simply being bystanders.
This is just one of 19 projects set to open following funding from our Ireland’s Ancient East Storytelling and Interpretation grants scheme and each project brings to life local heritage and culture. Our investment in Tayto Park will also help to promote other key attractions in the Meath area and will boost the county’s tourism appeal, driving significant growth in both visitors number and revenue to the region.”
The Ireland's Ancient East Storytelling and Interpretation Grants Scheme is funded under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy with the aim of driving sustainable growth in the Irish tourism sector and higher revenue and job creation around Ireland.
For more information visit: www.taytopark.ie