The award was presented to our clients at Waterways Ireland on Thursday 10 April at the Esri Ireland Customer Success Awards held at The College Green Hotel, Dublin. It recognises exceptional use of Esri’s GIS technology to communicate meaningful stories through innovative cartographic design.

Funded by The Heritage Council under its Heritage Stewardship Scheme, the project reimagines heritage interpretation through digital storytelling, blending interactive maps, 3D modelling, oral histories and archival content. The result is an engaging, interactive journey along the Grand Canal seen through the eyes of a boatman — offering a powerful window into Ireland’s industrial past.

The award also highlights the success of the Heritage Stewardship Scheme in supporting those working at the front lines of heritage and demonstrates what can be achieved when multidisciplinary teams come together around a shared vision.

This ambitious project brought together expertise from across Waterways Ireland, with LUC leading the StoryMap development. The immersive experience features a 3D model of the historic 31M barge (created by Lightroom 3D), which users can explore through a virtual tour built in 3D Vista.

The project was launched during National Heritage Week 2024 and received overwhelming support from local communities and heritage groups.

The success of A Boatman’s Journey sets a benchmark for heritage interpretation and digital engagement. LUC is honoured to have been part of this journey and looks forward to more collaborations that harness the power of GIS and storytelling to bring history to life.