Sarner International, the leading experiential design expert, has announced that it has been working with Mid Ulster District Council to conduct a masterplanning and feasibility study for The Hill of the O’Neill, a significant historical site and ancient bastion of power for more than 400 years.
The goal of the project is to elevate the site onto the world stage, creating an immersive heritage destination where visitors can explore the dramatic and engaging stories that shaped the country.
The site of many battles, sieges, feuds and dynastic disputes, the Hill has witnessed many of the great upheavals in Irish history, from the O’Neill Dynasty until the Flight of the Earls and the Plantation of Ulster in the seventeenth century. At this point, there was a shift in Ulster from an ancient Gaelic tradition to a new Anglo-Scottish ethos, marking the beginning of another age in the history of Ireland, and the Hill.
Bringing history to life
Sarner will assist in reinventing the Hill as a leading cultural heritage destination in Northern Ireland, aiming to secure significant funding and unlock the site’s potential to attract a national and international audience.
The cutting-edge new attraction will take guests back in time, immersing them in engaging stories from medieval Ireland. Meanwhile, outside they can enjoy panoramic views across Ulster, standing on the vantage point from where Hugh O’Neill commanded his kingdom. Then, using groundbreaking digital visualisation techniques, his ancient empire will be brought to life before their eyes.
Sarner’s executive creative director, Mike Bennett, says: “Over the centuries the site hosted a rich tapestry of internationally significant landmark historical events which were pivotal to the creation of Ireland we know today, with far-reaching significance. Sarner are honoured to be entrusted with the task of helping to shape the next chapter of the Hill’s story.”
Earlier this year, Sarner International also detailed its work on a new exhibition celebrating the life of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, which opened in March at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
