New state-of-the-art flight simulator ‘This is Ireland’ set for Dublin’s North City Centre

The Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland today announced a total investment of €18.1million to develop a new a state-of-the-art flight simulator ‘This is Ireland’ in Dublin’s North City Centre.

Fáilte Ireland is investing €10million into the project.

Over the first 5 years of operation this project will generate €48m in direct tourism expenditure supporting 1,336 jobs in the area and 17 new jobs will be created at the attraction.

‘This Is Ireland’ aims to develop and launch a new innovative visitor attraction to the Irish market.

It is already a hugely successful tourist attraction of scale in Amsterdam and Vancouver. The attraction is an immersive experience consisting of multiple shows, with its principal feature being a simulated flight experience. It will be located in Dublin’s North City Centre.

‘This Is Ireland’ allows guests to experience the story of Ireland in a breath-taking and engaging way.

In an “edutainment” manner they will learn about Irish history, discover the Ireland of today and prepare for the ultimate finale – the flight using state-of-the-art flight simulation and audio-visual technology.

The announcement that Fáilte Ireland is investing €10m in a “This is Ireland” tourist attraction in the North Inner City was welcomed today by local councillor Nial Ring.

“We have had the on-going saga of the white river rafting project for Spencer Dock which  now seems to be “dead in the water” and this €18.1m project, with €10m committed by Fáilte Ireland, is, on the face of it, an interesting and, most importantly, a feasible alternative” Cllr. Ring said.

“The fact that similar attractions are running successfully in Amsterdam and Vancouver gives us confidence that this replica can be a great success” he added.

“My understanding is that “This is Ireland” aims to develop and launch a new innovative visitor attraction in Dublin’s North Inner City.

“The information given is that the attraction is an immersive experience consisting of multiple shows, with its principal feature being a simulated flight experience” he continued.

“The fact that the attraction will allow visitors to experience the story of Ireland in a breath-taking and engaging way sounds great, and anything which promotes learning about Ireland, Irish History and Dublin must be welcomed.

“Everything looks very positive, including the simulated flight experience but we must keep our feet “firmly on the ground” until we get more information and confirmation on the source of the €8.1m funding not being provided by Fáilte Ireland” he concluded.

The Dublin project is just one of four projects announced by Minister Martin as part of a €73million investment programme under Fáilte Ireland’s *Platforms for Growth Investment Grants Scheme for Immersive Heritage and Cultural Attractions.

Fáilte Ireland is investing €44.3million and a total match funding of €29million from public and private project partners.

Attractions in Cavan, Donegal and Mayo were also successful applicants under the Scheme.

All four new and strategically important large-scale visitor attractions will unlock regional dispersal of visitors and extend the tourism season in these regions beyond the traditional summer months.