Bringing History to Life: Transition Year Students Explore Photogrammetry at Ennis Library
During the recent Seachtain na Staire (History Week), held from 4–10 October 2025, Ennis Public Library became a hub of digital innovation for local Transition Year students. In a hands-on workshop supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, students stepped into th
e world of “digital twins,” learning how to transform physical historical artefacts into detailed 3D assets.
Capturing the Past
The workshop began with a direct link to local heritage as students photographed a real artefact provided by the Clare Museum. This was no ordinary photo session; students were taught the technical nuances of photogrammetry, which requires capturing an object from every conceivable angle. Participants took between 40 and 50 photos, ensuring a 60–80% overlap between shots to allow software to later match points and build an accurate model.
From Photos to 3D Assets
Once the photography was complete, students moved to the digital lab to use Meshroom, a free, open-source program used by professional archaeologists and game designers. By importing their photos into the software, they initiated a complex computing process that converted their 2D photos into a 3D point cloud and, eventually, a textured .obj mesh.
The journey didn’t end with a raw scan. The students then imported their .obj files into Blender, a high-end 3D creation suite. Here, they performed a “digital cleanup,” using the software’s edit mode to delete stray vertices and reorient the scans. For more complex models, they even explored Instant Meshes to simplify dense geometry into efficient, “low-poly” versions.
Skills for the Future
This workshop provided more than just a history lesson; it equipped students with transferable technical skills used across multiple modern industries. By creating these digital twins, students learned the foundations of:
- Gaming and Film: Creating high-quality assets for virtual worlds and cinematic visual effects.
- Digital Archaeology: Preserving delicate historical items in a digital format that can be shared globally.
- Professional Portfolios: Sharing their finished work on industry-standard sites like Sketchfab or ArtStation.
By the end of the hour, these young historians had successfully bridged the gap between Clare’s ancient past and the cutting-edge digital future. Their finished 3D models were sent to their teachers, serving as a lasting digital legacy of their time at Ennis Library.
A big thank you to Micheal Talty and the library staff for organising the event.
