ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the case of a community of interest formed around the dance halls movement in Limerick, Ireland. A local development organisation and a network of volunteers assumed the role of facilitators in supporting the collaborative design of a project, the crowd sourcing of artefacts for an exhibition, and the shared interpretation of the artefacts. The chapter focuses mainly on the exhibition – from the preparation phases to its actual running. It shows how the technological solutions supporting the exhibition were built around the user needs, aiming for a seamless integration of technology throughout the project. Local communities and organisations working in the field of community development are making efforts to reinforce community identity by putting residents in touch with their local heritage. Research shows that grassroots participation in digital, cultural heritage projects may motivate community members to access historical knowledge otherwise unknown to them, giving them a sense of ownership and increasing their self-esteem, resulting in community empowerment.