Take a seat on Glenveagh’s smartest new attraction
A clever new bench at Glenveagh National Park is keeping tabs on everything from birdsong and air quality to the darkness of Donegal’s night sky.
An Binse Cliste (The Smart Bench) was officially launched on Thursday as an exciting new way for researchers and visitors to connect with the park’s natural surroundings through digital technology.
Through an app, visitors can view environmental data collected by the bench sensors and provide feedback on their experience.
An online dashboard also offers access to birdsong recordings, bird activity, air-quality information and night-sky darkness levels.
The Smart Bench (An Binse Cliste) is a collaborative project between Donegal County Council, Glenveagh National Park, Data2sustain, ATU's School of Creative Industries and WiSAR Lab at ATU.
Two more benches are on the way to Fort Dunree in Inishowen and Connemara National Park, adding to the number of Irish sites contributing to “Star4All”, a collective awareness platform for promoting dark skies in Europe.
Designed by ATU lecturer Roscoe Holt, the Smart Bench's innovative design frames each stunning landscape in a way that is practical and sensitive to the natural heritage of its surroundings.
An Binse Cliste (The Smart Bench) by ATU lecturer, Roscoe Holt (pictured), showcases how technology, research and design can enhance visitor experiences while promoting environmental awareness.
The launch took place on Thursday, 20th August at Glenveagh National Park as part of Heritage Week, where the first bench of its kind has already been installed, allowing visitors to experience the project within its intended natural setting.
President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn cuts the ribbon on the newly installed An Binse Cliste (The Smart Bench) at Glenveagh National Park is an innovative digital visitor engagement project delivered by Data2sustain, ATU's School of Creative Industries and WiSAR Lab at ATU, which explores how embedded technologies and environmental data can enhance interaction with natural environments.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: “Technology opens up new and sustainable ways to bring us closer to the natural world. The Smart Bench gives visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich biodiversity of Glenveagh National Park. Glenveagh is known for its education and visitor engagement programmes, and this project further builds on that reputation by working in partnership with Atlantic Technical University, Donegal County Council and Connemara National Park to create an even more engaging and accessible experience for all.”
ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn said, "The Smart Bench - An Binse Cliste - is a great example of how ATU is combining research, technology and design to enhance how people engage with the natural environment. Through collaboration across our Design School, WiSAR Lab and Data2Sustain EDIH, the project demonstrates how innovation can enrich visitor experiences while supporting environmental awareness. As you will see from the beautiful design, this bench will become a focal point for visitors here and other locations for years to come."
Stephen Seawright, Technology Gateway Manager for WiSAR added, "The Smart Bench transforms real-time environmental data into a simple and engaging experience for visitors. By combining sensor technology, digital design and environmental monitoring, we are helping the public connect more deeply with landscapes they visit while showcasing the value of collaborative innovation."
Emmett Johnston (Glenveagh National Park Regional Manager) speaking at the launch of the new Smart Bench at Glenveagh National Park.
The project, delivered by the Data2Sustain EDIH, demonstrates how digital capability and interdisciplinary collaboration can be applied to develop innovative approaches to environmental engagement and visitor experience. It was developed in collaboration with public service partners including Connemara National Park, Glenveagh National Park and Donegal County Council, ERNACT with installations in Glenveagh National Park, Fort Dunree and Connemara National Park.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme