Athlone to host 'gifting event' as part of Vision Ireland's Meta glasses roll-out

Athlone will be among seven locations to host a 'gifting event' in the coming months, as Vision Ireland begins distributing 15,000 pairs of Ray-Ban Meta glasses nationwide.

Donated to Vision Ireland by Meta last month, Vision Ireland will soon begin a programme of gifting and training events for approved recipients.

According to Vision Ireland, thousands of people with sight loss are set to benefit from the new technology programme.

Over 2,000 people have registered their interest since the donation was announced on August 13, and over 40 gifting events will take place across Ireland in the coming months, in Athlone, Mullingar, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kerry and Sligo.

The programme officially launched at The Wayfinding Centre in Dublin, a facility dedicated to accessibility, universal design and inclusive mobility. For actress Victoria Smurfit and her daughter Evie, who is vision-impaired, the launch had particular significance.

Victoria, who has first-hand experience of the potential impact of the technology, said the programme could make a meaningful difference to people with sight loss.

“I'm delighted to launch the roll-out of Vision Ireland's Ray-Ban Meta glasses programme, which will see this wonderful donation from Meta reaching the blind and low vision community in Ireland" she said.

“I know from my own family's experience the difference groundbreaking technology can make, and I'm excited for others to see the impact these glasses can have for people who are visually impaired," she added.

Chris White, chief executive officer of Vision Ireland, said the scale of the response demonstrates the demand for technology that can support greater independence.

“The response since Meta announced this gift has shown just how much interest there is in technology that can support people with sight loss in their everyday lives. We are immensely grateful to Meta and proud to be entrusted with delivering this programme across Ireland,” he said.

Registered and approved recipients, who must be aged 18 or over and resident in the Republic of Ireland, will receive a personal invitation to a gifting event where they will receive the glasses and initial training.

Eligible people who are blind or have low vision can register interest at meta.vi.ie or via the dedicated phone number 01 882 1910.