Australian and New Zealand travel journalists explore the island of Ireland

Six travel journalists from Australia and New Zealand – writing for online magazines and a daily newspaper with a combined reach of millions of readers – have been visiting the island of Ireland this week, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. 

The aim of the visit is to familiarise the journalists with our superb tourism offering. The action-packed itinerary included a falconry experience at Ballynahinch Castle, DK Connemara Oysters, a bodhrán taster class with Roundstone Music and Crafts, a pony beach trek with The Point Pony Trekking Centre and an Experience Gaelic Games session at Liam Mellows GAA Club. They also enjoyed a farm tour and forage session with Cloughan Farm & Cookery School and a cruise along Lough Ree with Viking Tours Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, the journalists visited Killeavy Castle and Titanic Belfast and enjoyed a Taste & Tour food tour followed by breadmaking with Bakehouse NI. A traditional music session at The Crosskeys Inn and visits to Armagh Robinson Library, Long Meadow Cider and Game of Thrones Studio Tour rounded off their programme. 

Sofia Hansson, Tourism Ireland’s Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of influential travel journalists to visit the island of Ireland, to sample some of our superb luxury and cultural experiences, as well as our wonderful food and drink offering. Through their articles, the journalists will inspire their readers to come and experience our beautiful scenery and activities for themselves.”  

Tourism Ireland undertakes a busy publicity programme around the world each year to raise the profile of the island of Ireland – visits by influential travel writers like these are a key element of that programme.