Powerscourt Estate launches innovative multi-lingual audio guides – the first of their kind in Ireland
On Monday 3rd April, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, officially launched the new innovative multi-lingual audio guides at Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
Powerscourt Estate is the first visitor attraction in Ireland to use the cutting- edge technology for these multilingual guides, which are available in five languages – English, Chinese, German, Spanish and French. These tours with a difference are narrated personally by the two families and owners of Powerscourt over the past 800 years – Anthony Wingfield, 11th Lord Powerscourt, and the third generation of the Slazenger family to manage the Estate and Gardens, cousins Sarah and Alex Slazenger.
Delivered as they would normally give a private tour, the family share anecdotes and stories of the estate’s intriguing history at beautiful vistas throughout the gardens. Visitors will enjoy learning about King George IV’s near death-experience at the Waterfall and the 100’s of people involved in the Gardens’ creation. The tour gives a behind the scenes glimpse of daily life at Powerscourt and how special it was to grow up in such a unique place.
Launching the guide, The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said this morning: “The multilingual guides – available in English, Chinese, German, Spanish and French – are testament to Powerscourt Estate’s status as a major tourism destination, welcoming more than half a million domestic and overseas visitors to the Estate and 250,000 people to its Gardens annually. With more than 300 people employed on Powerscourt Estate, it is a treasured national asset, drawing visitors to Wicklow and in turn supporting Wicklow’s other tourism attractions, local accommodation providers, restaurants and shops.”
Welcoming Minister Ross to the official launch, Sarah Slazenger, MD of Powerscourt Estate said: “We are delighted that Minister Ross could attend to launch our new multilingual guides.
These immersive guides tell our visitors in their own language about the stories and characters that have shaped the Estate and Gardens over 800 years, providing them with a more in depth, enriching and memorable visit. We anticipate further growth from international markets as we respond to our changing visitor profile through multi lingual tourism experiences.”
Jenny de Saulles, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East programme at Failte Ireland said: “I am delighted to be here today for the official launch of these guides. Powerscourt Estate is perfectly positioned in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East and that is why we provided funding of €80,000 to Powerscourt to improve and enrich the visitor experience and bring the brand Ireland’s Ancient East alive locally. It is vital that we share local stories to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by Ireland’s Ancient East and, by investing in Powerscourt Estate, we are aiming to maximise the potential for visitors, revenue and jobs in the country.”
For more info on Powerscourt please go to https://visitwicklow.ie/attractions/powerscourt-house-gardens-2/
