Celtworld

About

Celtworld was an educational amusement park, heritage interpretation centre and tourist attraction in Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland. It operated from 1992 to 1995 before closing due to financial difficulties.

The total start-up cost for the project was more than £ 4.5 million (approximately €5.7 million). With building costs of between £90 and £110 per square foot, it was reputed to be the most expensive construction project in Ireland. Tramore Fáilte, an arm of the South East Regional Tourism Organisation, provided £737,000 toward start-up costs, in addition to term loans and leasing arrangements of approximately £575,000. The project also attracted a European Union Structure Fund Grant of £1.81 million.

Private sector investment of £1.5 million was provided by Vectravision, Kentz, and British firm International Tourism Projects Ltd. Bank loans provided a further £600,000 of capital. A further £230,000-£250,000 was funded by 63 Business Expansion Scheme (BES) investors, which included employees of the Bank of Ireland, Kentz, and Tramore Fáilte. There were 67 investors in total. The 2.5-acre site was purchased from Tramore Fáilte for £400,000. The company was incorporated as Celtworld Limited on 30 November 1990, opening in May 1992 with 15 full-time and 15 part-time employees.

The Art Deco interior was designed by artist Jim Fitzpatrick. The building was planned as a wet-weather attraction. It was clad with aluminium and was not air conditioned, which led to uncomfortable conditions in warm weather.

The total start-up cost for the project was more than £ 4.5 million (approximately €5.7 million). With building costs of between £90 and £110 per square foot, it was reputed to be the most expensive construction project in Ireland. Tramore Fáilte, an arm of the South East Regional Tourism Organisation, provided £737,000 toward start-up costs, in addition to term loans and leasing arrangements of approximately £575,000. The project also attracted a European Union Structure Fund Grant of £1.81 million.

Private sector investment of £1.5 million was provided by Vectravision, Kentz, and British firm International Tourism Projects Ltd. Bank loans provided a further £600,000 of capital. A further £230,000-£250,000 was funded by 63 Business Expansion Scheme (BES) investors, which included employees of the Bank of Ireland, Kentz, and Tramore Fáilte. There were 67 investors in total. The 2.5-acre site was purchased from Tramore Fáilte for £400,000. The company was incorporated as Celtworld Limited on 30 November 1990, opening in May 1992 with 15 full-time and 15 part-time employees.

The Art Deco interior was designed by artist Jim Fitzpatrick. The building was planned as a wet-weather attraction. It was clad with aluminium and was not air conditioned, which led to uncomfortable conditions in warm weather.

Celtworld's main feature was a 25-minute show which involved a revolving auditorium, the largest such theatre in Europe at that time. Visual effects included animated artwork, computer-generated imagery, lasers, holograms, and animatronics. It was presented as a "Crystal Time Chamber" which allowed visitors to travel back to Celtic times. Every turn of the revolving theatre brought visitors to 1 of 6 presentations, which involved a range of mythical and legendary characters such as a daughter of Noah, Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomorians, Partholón, Lugh, Balor, and Cú Chulainn. The experience was narrated by Tuan mac Cairill. Historical figures such as vikings and Saint Patrick were also included.

- Presentation 1 – Cessair and Fir Bolg from Lebor Gabála Érenn

- Presentation 2 – Fir Bolg fighting Tuatha Dé Danann

- Presentation 3 – Battle between Lugh and Balor

- Presentation 4 – The childhood of Cú Chulainn

- Presentation 6 – Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna

After the theatre show, visitors entered the interactive Celtic Otherworld exhibition. This area included quizzes, information on women in Irish mythology, ogham stones, Aos Sí, an £18,000 replica Book of Kells, and an artificial tree with talking animatronic human heads. The exit was via a gift shop.

Celtworld's main feature was a 25-minute show which involved a revolving auditorium, the largest such theatre in Europe at that time. Visual effects included animated artwork, computer-generated imagery, lasers, holograms, and animatronics. It was presented as a "Crystal Time Chamber" which allowed visitors to travel back to Celtic times. Every turn of the revolving theatre brought visitors to 1 of 6 presentations, which involved a range of mythical and legendary characters such as a daughter of Noah, Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomorians, Partholón, Lugh, Balor, and Cú Chulainn. The experience was narrated by Tuan mac Cairill. Historical figures such as vikings and Saint Patrick were also included.

- Presentation 1 – Cessair and Fir Bolg from Lebor Gabála Érenn

- Presentation 2 – Fir Bolg fighting Tuatha Dé Danann

- Presentation 3 – Battle between Lugh and Balor

- Presentation 4 – The childhood of Cú Chulainn

- Presentation 6 – Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna