Stone Stories - Neolithic Monuments of Ireland

Introduction

Created as part of my Interactive Digital Media dissertaion, Stone Stories is an immersive, educational website designed to raise awareness of Ireland’s Neolithic monuments - many of which are neglected or threatened by modern activity. The project combines historical storytelling with modern web technologies to create an engaging, media-rich user experience.

Following a competitor audit, research showed that existing sites in this space are outdated, text-heavy, and poorly optimised for mobile. Primary research through an online survey revealed strong public interest in ancient history, particularly factual information, cultural significance, locations, and architecture. Users expressed a clear preference for visual and interactive features such as photos, video, interactive maps, and 3D models.

Design & Development

The website was designed as a central hub for Neolithic monument information, balancing education and entertainment while also addressing preservation and conservation challenges. Key features include a responsive layout, video-led homepage, featured monuments, and an interactive map.

A highlight of the project is the Glendruid Dolmen, which features a scroll-driven 3D web experience built with Three.js and animated using GSAP. As users scroll, the camera moves around a detailed 3D model, enhanced with subtle parallax effects. The experience also supports mobile viewing via QR code and includes Augmented Reality, working on both iOS and Android devices.

The Glendruid monument was captured using a combination of iPhone photography, drone footage, and photogrammetry with Polycam. The resulting high-poly model was optimised for the web through retopology, UV unwrapping, and texture baking using Blender and Instant Meshes, before being exported as a .glb file for use in Three.js.

Visually, the design blends tradition and modernity through an earthy colour palette, carefully chosen typography, and a clean, uncluttered interface. The final result is a modern, accessible platform that brings Ireland’s ancient stone monuments to life while encouraging greater appreciation and awareness of their cultural value.