A pioneering new digital initiative is strengthening Inishowen’s position as a must-visit destination on the Wild Atlantic Way, connecting visitors directly with the peninsula’s rich and distinctive creative heritage.

The Digital Arts & Crafts Kiosk, developed by Inishowen-based platform Irish Hands, has been launched at the Go Visit Inishowen Tourism Office in Buncrana, offering an immersive gateway into Inishowen’s Creative Story – one of the three Hero Experience Themes identified in the Inishowen Peninsula Destination & Experience Development Plan (DEDP).

Designed to enhance the visitor experience and showcase local creativity in a contemporary and accessible way, the interactive kiosk is supported by a striking digital window display and the online platform www.irishhands.com. Together, they enable visitors to:

• Discover artists and makers from across the peninsula
• Book hands-on craft and creative experiences
• Purchase authentic, locally made products directly from producers

The initiative directly responds to priorities identified within the Inishowen DEDP, which highlights the need to strengthen the visibility of the arts and crafts sector, improve access to saleable, year-round experiences, and use digital technology to better connect people, stories and place.

Founded by Shane Kirby, Irish Hands uses digital innovation to preserve and promote traditional skills while supporting contemporary makers. Crucially, the platform encourages visitors to travel beyond the tourism office and into studios and workshops across Inishowen, helping to extend dwell time and disperse economic benefit across communities throughout the peninsula – a core objective of the Inishowen Peninsula Destination & Experience Development Plan.

(Plan available at: https://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/Wild%20Atlantic%20Way/inishowen-experience-development-plan.pdf )

Delivered in partnership with Go Visit Inishowen, the project further strengthens Inishowen’s appeal to culturally curious visitors seeking meaningful, experience-led encounters rooted in local culture and creativity.

Speaking ahead of the launch on Friday, 17 April, at the Go Visit Inishowen Tourism Office, Shane Kirby said:

“This project is all about connecting people with the real makers of Inishowen and the North West. We have an incredible wealth of creative talent here, and this digital kiosk, alongside our online platform, allows us to showcase it in a way that’s accessible, engaging and future focused. It’s about keeping our timeless arts and craft-making traditions alive while embracing the opportunities that digital innovation brings.”

David Leonard, Programme Officer for the Wild Atlantic Way, welcomed the initiative and its alignment with the long-term vision for the destination:

“Initiatives such as this are exactly what the Inishowen Destination Experience Development Plan set out to achieve – connecting visitors with the authentic stories, skills and creativity that define this remarkable peninsula.”

He added:

“By shining a spotlight on Inishowen’s strong craft tradition and making it easy for visitors to engage directly with local makers, Shane is bringing Inishowen’s creative story to life in a meaningful and contemporary way. The commitment shown by Niall McCaughan and Go Visit Inishowen to champion projects like this demonstrates a clear ambition to position Inishowen as a must-visit destination on the Wild Atlantic Way – a place where creativity, community and sense of place come together to deliver memorable visitor experiences.”

Niall McCaughan, Manager of Go Visit Inishowen, said:

“We are delighted to collaborate with Shane Kirby and Irish Hands on this groundbreaking project. Arts and crafts are a vital part of our tourism identity, and this new digital kiosk and signage display allow us to present that offering in a fresh and engaging way. Visitors are increasingly seeking authentic experiences, and this platform connects them directly with the people and stories behind Inishowen’s rich heritage of creative making.”

Supported by the European ST3ER Project

The project has been supported through the ST3ER (Scaling Twin Transition in Tourism by harnessing the Experience Economy for greater Resilience) project, which is partly funded by the European Union.

ST3ER promotes digital innovation and sustainable tourism across Europe. Irish Hands is one of several Irish SMEs participating in the initiative, supported by Irish partners WestBIC and Údarás na Gaeltachta, alongside project partners in Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Slovenia.

Eunan Cunningham, Regional Manager of WestBIC, commented:

“Irish Hands is a strong example of how digital innovation can support local communities and cultural heritage. Through the ST3ER project, we aim to help businesses embrace technology in a way that is both sustainable and impactful. This digital kiosk and booking system demonstrates how tradition and innovation can work hand in hand to shape the future of tourism.”

Celebrating Local Creative Talent

The installation also reflects the collaborative spirit of Inishowen’s creative community. A range of local professionals contributed to the project, including a local artist and sculptor, web developer and videographer — showcasing the depth, diversity and strength of creative talent across the peninsula.

Book Craft Experiences in Inishowen

Visitors can book craft experiences at www.irishhands.com or directly through the digital kiosk at the Go Visit Inishowen Tourism Office in Buncrana, which is open daily.

The digital window display will showcase Inishowen’s creative offering from morning through to evening, inspiring both visitors and locals to explore the peninsula’s unique artistic culture.

Whether you are a visitor, a local resident or simply curious, Irish Hands invites you to discover the stories, skills and creativity that make Inishowen truly distinctive.

The Irish Hands Digital Arts & Crafts Kiosk also supports national and regional objectives around sustainable tourism, digital innovation and year-round visitation, aligning strongly with the DEDP’s vision of Inishowen as a destination recognised for its creative energy, strong sense of place and community-led experience development.

Media Enquiries

Shane Kirby – Irish Hands
shane@irishhands.com
+44 7729469402

Niall McCaughan – Go Visit Inishowen
manager@govisitinishowen.com
074 93 63451