New Portal Copyright Shauneen Henrys
The advanced setup includes a continuous livestream connecting Dublin, New York, and visitors for real-time interaction.
Curious about what's happening in New York but can't fly there? Dubliners have been getting a glimpse into the lives of New Yorkers through a new ‘portal'.
The advanced setup displays a continuous livestream of the two famous cities, and there are future plans to connect additional cities.
Meant to designate Dublin as the European City of Smart Tourism 2024, residents have been utilizing the network for various reasons.
What is the reason behind Dublin and New York establishing a ‘ new portal ‘?
After the portal was launched in Dublin on Wednesday, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, expressed his joy in connecting Dublin with New York, a city with which Dublin has a strong historical and cultural connection.
Starting in July, the Dublin Portal will link up with additional cities in Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania.
The portal's main purpose is to connect people. It was approved in Dublin as part of the city being named European City of Smart Tourism 2024.
Hello New York! The @LordMayorDublin has officially launched 'The Portal' connecting the great cities of Dublin and New York! It's a 24/7 visual live stream, come wave to your friends, family or even complete strangers in The Big Apple! @NYC_DOT @DublinTown @LovinDublin… pic.twitter.com/xsH0b5MyIw
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) May 8, 2024
Benediktas Gylys, the Lithuanian artist who created the Portal, believes that Portals are a way to connect with people from different countries and cultures, allowing us to see the world as a united and harmonious place.
Talking to residents via the portal.
The portal has become a hit among people in Dublin, as they gather in crowds to see what's happening on the other side of the ocean.
There have been a few intriguing meetings in the past day since it started.
Who's idea was it to have a portal from Dublin to New York I'm actually in bits pic.twitter.com/l91SlosDN3
— Mel (@melsanobrain) May 8, 2024
A video posted online shows a person from Dublin attempting to share their phone number with someone in New York.
Another video making its way around featured a girl in New York calling a guy in Dublin after meeting through the portal.
The police were captured on video forcefully removing a person who was blocking the entrance.
In a touching moment, an Irish university posted a photo of an American student connecting with their mother in New York using the portal camera.
🤏🧿 Aww! Native New Yorker and UCD student Dakota Taylor reaches out and touches her mum through…𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓵
— University College Dublin (@ucddublin) May 9, 2024
🗽 The Portal forms an unprecedented visual bridge between New York and Dublin.
Each sculpture features a 24/7 visual live stream from the Portal in the other… pic.twitter.com/ODfmLPRfWx
The team behind the portals shared with Euronews Travel that they are very pleased with the positive reactions to the creative scenes. They clarified that they are not trying to dictate how people should engage with the Portals or with each other.
Portals are not just a means to connect, but an opportunity to encounter others and discover our own emotions. We are mere spectators of this remarkable event, witnessing the immense creative energy and the profound impact of human connection.
Where can I see the portal?
Until fall, people can visit the portal on O'Connell street in Dublin, with the famous GPO building and the Spire in the background.
You can locate it at the Flatiron South Public Plaza in New York, near Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, close to the famous Flatiron Building.
According to the manufacturer's website, additional portals are installed in Lublin, Poland and Vilnius, Lithuania.
