Google Maps goes inside Irish shopping centres, tourist hotspots

Google has introduced indoor maps for a number of public spaces such as shopping centres, airports and museums in Ireland.

The company has added indoor floor plans to the web and mobile versions of its Maps service, allowing users to find their way around iconic sites like the Guinness Storehouse, find their gate at Dublin Airport or platform at Cork train station.

Users will also be able to identify specific shops, cash machines and bathrooms within shopping centres, including Ireland’s largest shopping space, the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and Merchants Quay Shopping Centre in Cork.

Google Maps product manager Omer Sommerich said indoor maps are available for more than 40 locations in Ireland, including Dublin Airport, Heuston Station, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Aviva Stadium, University College Dublin, Waterford Institute of Technology and Galway Shopping Centre.

The interactive map tool is available in the Google Maps app on Android and iOS, as well as on desktop. To explore indoor plans, users search for the location they want to view and then zoom in.

John Hurley of the Dublin Airport Authority said Google indoor maps will give passengers a refreshed view of the airport, helping them get to their flight easier.

“This mobile service permits the passenger to have real-time view of their exact location and their connecting flight location,” he added.

Guinness Storehouse managing director Paul Carty said the Storehouse spans over 7 floors and Indoor Google Maps gives the consumer the power to plan and research their trip in advance or as they walk through the building to make the best use of their time.

“At the touch of a button consumers can see the floors, exhibits and even the food outlets from the comfort of their own mobile device,” he said.