As part of the Cavan Monaghan Science Festival, the Crazy About Caves event on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, transformed Johnston Central Library into a gateway to the subterranean wonders of the Marble Arch Caves.
This immersive experience, featuring the Cave Explorer VR Experience, captivated visitors with cutting-edge technology that brought the caves' natural beauty and history to life.
Visitors were transported deep beneath the Earth's surface with a 360-degree panoramic VR experience, designed to create a realistic journey into the Marble Arch Caves. Equipped with just a VR headset and guided by simple head movements, attendees embarked on a 3-minute virtual trip underground, beginning at the stunning Gortmacconnell viewpoint and descending into the intricate cave system.
Key features of the experience included:
8K footage and surround sound: Creating an incredibly lifelike representation of the caves.
Deep Time Understanding: A glimpse into the cave's 340-million-year history and its fragile ecosystem.
Serene Ambience: Offering visitors a moment of tranquility as they explored this hidden world.
Each visitor was welcomed by an expert team member, who provided a brief history of the caves and highlighted key points of interest within the virtual experience. This added layer of context enriched the VR journey, blending education with exploration.
The experience was thoughtfully designed to be inclusive, suitable for children aged 5+ (with parental guidance) and easily accessible for visitors of all ability levels.
While the Cave Explorer VR Experience offered a tantalizing glimpse into the Marble Arch Caves, it served as a teaser for the full adventure. For those eager to explore further, a visit to the caves' guided tour section is a must.
The Crazy About Caves event exemplified the spirit of the Cavan Monaghan Science Festival—bringing science, innovation, and the natural world to the heart of the community. For those who attended, it was a chance to journey beneath the surface, if only for a moment, and marvel at the beauty of one of nature's wonders.
Keep an eye on upcoming events at Johnston Central Library and across Cavan as we continue to celebrate learning, curiosity, and discovery!