King John’s Castle in Limerick will reopen to the public today following a €5.7 million refurbishment project.
Visitors will be able to use touchscreen technology to learn about sieges and warfare. Computer generated imagery, animations and ghostly projections are also part of the experience.
“We like to think of it as a time-travel experience which uses the latest technology to give people a unique opportunity to explore Limerick and the castle as never before. It is an exciting ultra-modern visitor experience with a dramatic history of over 800 years of stories,” said John Ruddle, chief executive of Shannon Heritage.
“There is a stunning ‘looking glass’ exhibition area which provides a window to the past. Here people can walk through the historical exhibitions with people outside able to look in and people inside will be able to look out,” he said.
Areas of the castle previously inaccessible to the public have been opened as part of the redevelopment project. These include a tower which affords the highest observation point in Limerick of the river Shannon.
The castle will be open all year round, apart from closing for three days over the Christmas period.