Google have decided to use their Street View system to allow you take virtual tours of some of the world’s most historic sites and two Irish ones made the cut, but not the ones you might think.
If you were asked to select Ireland’s most historic site, what would you go for? Glendalough? Newgrange? The spot where Jedward were born?
This was the puzzle presented to Google as they compiled their first ever list of World Wonders. In total, 132 sites were selected by the search engine giants to showcase some of the really clever stuff their Street View technology can do, as well as educating us on important sites that may need preservation. The plan is to also use it in schools to help kids who are unlikely to ever travel to all these places.
The list is impressive, with such big names at Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles and Pompeii making the cut. So, where did they pick for Ireland? St Brendan’s Cathedral in Clonfert Co Galway and Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church in Belfast.
Not the first names that spring to mind I’ll grant you but they are impressive, with St Brendan’s around since 563 and the famous sailor saint is also buried there.
The Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church is one of the most famous buildings in Belfast but it has fallen into disrepair and the focus that this project will bring to it should help preserve it for future generations.
The website itself is pretty cool, and easy to use if you have used Street View before so dive in here.
And if you just want to watch the snazzy promo video, here it is.
