The Old Barracks, Cahersiveen
EPIC was tasked with developing a new exhibition at the Old Barracks in Cahersiveen, with the goal of enhancing the town’s visibility and making it a must-visit destination. The project, funded by Fáilte Ireland, aimed to not only bring the story of Daniel O’Connell to life but also broaden the exhibition’s appeal to attract a wider audience and increase visitor dwell time in the region.
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IDI SHORT FILM FINALIST 2022
Excellent exhibition centre, with really interesting features on local history. We had great fun doing this escape room. It’s suitable for all ages and has a reasonable level of difficulty. Well worth visiting.
Tripadvisor
EPIC began crafting a narrative arc that wove together the story of the building with Ireland’s revolutionary history and its role in global communications, while also creating a dedicated micro-exhibition for the Daniel O’Connell story. The exhibition design was spread over three floors, with a carefully planned visitor flow that accommodated individuals with varying abilities. The placement of printed panels and digital tools was carefully considered to provide access for all ages and abilities, ensuring an inclusive experience for a diverse audience.
The key challenge for this project was to create an exhibition that could go beyond Daniel O’Connell’s legacy and turn Cahersiveen into a significant visitor attraction. EPIC identified multiple opportunities to achieve this. First, we recognised the potential of the building itself, the Old Barracks, which is an iconic landmark in the landscape. Its prominence would help draw visitors into the town. Secondly, we recognised the potential of the Old Barracks as a gateway to nearby attractions, integrating the local mythology and heritage into the visitor experience.
Video Showcase
EPIC was responsible for designing every aspect of the exhibition, from the layout of display cases to the placement of graphic panels, models, and audiovisual elements. The interiors were given a gallery-like feel with white walls and black window and door frames, allowing the building to shine on its own. We used sustainable natural materials for the graphic panels. Gamification was introduced to the exhibition through the introduction of a face-recognition rebel game, based on historic archives; and an Escape room story, based around the RIC use of the barracks. This made the experience much more family-friendly.
Our short animation film was nominated for the IDI Awards 2023. EPIC took on the project management for the entire exhibition, overseeing the production and installation of all exhibition elements. We maintained strict budgetary control and coordinated with third parties to ensure that everything was delivered on time and within budget. Our approach ensured a seamless delivery, from the creative vision to the final fit-out, meeting the client’s goals for visibility, engagement, and visitor appeal.