One Year On: Beyond the Bars at Crumlin Road Gaol

At Hamilton Robson, we’ve had the privilege of working with many remarkable visitor attractions. One standout project we were excited to revisit recently was the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast – a year on from the launch of their inclusive digital visitor guide, powered by our immersive app, Story Engine.

A Challenge Turned Opportunity

When Crumlin Road Gaol first approached us, they were facing a common challenge: supporting international visitors and ensuring a more inclusive experience for people with hearing or visual impairments. At the time, they relied heavily on paper literature and printed transcripts to guide guests through the site – an approach that fell short of offering the engaging, accessible experience they aspired to provide.

The goal was to create something better. Something immersive, flexible, and inclusive.

Introducing Story Engine

Together, we developed a digital guide using Story Engine, our platform designed to enhance the visitor journey through storytelling, language support, and accessibility features.

The app launched with a focus on inclusivity and multilingual support. After consulting visitor feedback and conducting research into language demand, we rolled out the guide in:

  • English
  • British Sign Language (BSL)
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Portuguese
  • Mandarin

Phone with BSL on screen for visitor guide

One Year Later: Real Results

A year on, the success has exceeded expectations:

  • Over 8,000 audio guides sold
  • Increased engagement from deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors
  • Multiple awards recognising the Gaol’s commitment to accessibility
  • Positive feedback on the natural-sounding, AI-generated voiceovers – ethically developed and designed to support, not replace, human interaction

One of the most encouraging outcomes has been the noticeable increase in visits from deaf community and social groups, who had previously found the experience less accessible. The digital guide has genuinely opened the doors of this historic site to a broader and more diverse audience.

Crumlin Road Gaol continues to collaborate with us as they look to expand their offering with additional content and languages, keeping the visitor experience fresh and up to date.

Built for People, Powered by Technology

At Hamilton Robson, we believe that technology should serve people, not the other way around. That’s why ethical AI, human-centric design, and community collaboration are at the core of every Story Engine experience we build.

We don’t replace people – we enhance their stories, ensure they’re heard by more people, and make spaces more inclusive for everyone.

Want to Transform Your Visitor Experience?

If you’re exploring ways to improve accessibility, engagement, and impact at your visitor attraction, Story Engine could be the solution you’re looking for.

Get in touch with our team today to schedule a free demo and discover how we can bring your stories to life.

LETS TALK.

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