Carrolls Irish Gifts plan to replace Dublin shop with ‘immersive, time travelling’ tourist attraction
Carrolls Irish Gifts is planning on replacing its Dublin Talbot Street shop with an “interactive and immersive” film-based tourist attraction.
The proposal, which would be named ‘The Masterpiece Immersive Experience’, will take guests on an “explosive time travelling adventure” around Dublin in the early 20th century, according to planning documents submitted to Dublin City Council.
“Using the latest in AV and interactive technology, visitors will embark on a series of engaging tasks and missions that will motivate them to move through the different zones of the experience,” a presentation, from Dublin-based digital animation company Nóho, reads.
"The experience blends fun and mischief, while immersing the visitor in the formative years of world film and of our nation.”
To achieve the effect of travelling back in time, a series of new spaces are proposed within the structure of the existing three-storey building.
A room mimicking the inside of a historic tram, a street scene and an interactive space are proposed,amongst others, all of which guests will travel through.
The historic tram area, which would form part of the attraction
The proposal would also include a small café, lobby area and a retail space, with the cumulative development encompassing 1,503 square metres.
In its planning submission, Carrolls said the attraction “aligns with Dublin City Council’s goal of rejuvenating Talbot Street”.
"On completion, we envisage an increase in footfall in the area as a result of visitors to the experience from near and far, leading to benefits for other commercial and retail establishments in its vicinity,” they said.
The proposed street scene in the attraction
The historic nature of the exhibit would also help in the ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the historic core of the city centre, they said, adding that this particular site was where the Masterpiece Picture Theatre was located, originally built in 1914.
"Prior to its bombing in 1925, the Masterpiece Picture Theatre was one of several landmark cinemas such as the Savoy and the Ambassador that were influential in shaping Dublin’s cinematic landscape.”
"Thus, we consider that the development of the ‘Masterpiece Immersive Experience’ will not only provide visitors with an insight into early development of film in Ireland and how it came to dominate popular entertainment but will also play a significant role in the revival of the Talbot Street area.”
Documents supplied with the application suggest the attraction will operate from 10am to 10pm every day of the week.
When reached for comment, Carrolls Irish Gifts said the project was in “early planning stages”, and it would reveal more information next year.