450,000+ Italians see Northern Ireland on the ‘small screen’

Images of Northern Ireland were beamed into the homes of over 450,000 people in Italy this month, when two episodes of a popular prime time TV show called Eden – Un pianeta da salvare (meaning 'Eden – A planet to save') aired on La7 (national TV station). Filming took place here earlier this year and was supported by Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI. 

Viewers saw the show’s presenter Alessandro Antonio visit Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Tollymore Forest Park, Castlewellan Forest Park, Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen in Killinchy and enjoy a black taxi tour of Belfast. The crew also filmed in Derry-Londonderry, where they had a walking tour of the Walled City of Derry, Mussenden Temple and the Giant’s Causeway.

Marcella Ercolini, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Italy, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite the crew from ‘Eden – Un pianeta da salvare’ to film in Northern Ireland. With an audience of over 450,000 viewers, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the many things to see and do here for Italian holidaymakeres. Television and film are recognised as strong influencers for prospective holidaymakers and Tourism Ireland regularly works with TV and production companies in Italy and elsewhere around the world, to facilitate the making of travel and lifestyle programmes in Northern Ireland and around the island of Ireland.” 

Charlene McCrossan, Derry City Tours; Valerio Iosca and Davide Scarcella (both film crew); presenter Alessandro Antonino; and Carlo Emanuele Danza and Zhayda Tabashah (both film crew), during filming for Eden – Un pianeta da salvare in the walled city of Derry.