1.5 million French to read all about North Coast

Pictured outside Harrys Shack, Portstewart Strand are the French journalists with Anne Zeemour Tourism Ireland (front row, second left).

Representing various online and print publications, with a combined readership of 1.5 million, the journalists travelled from Roscoff to Cork with Brittany Ferries, and onwards to Newcastle, where they had the chance to enjoy the atmosphere at the Irish Open at Royal County Down.

The next day, following an itinerary devised by Tourism Northern Ireland, the group undertook a Game of Thrones tour with Winterfell Tours in Co Down, with stops at Tollymore Forest Park, Inch Abbey and Castle Ward.

The group also spent time in Belfast, visiting Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic, before travelling along the Causeway Coastal Route, stopping off at various other Game of Thrones locations including Ballintoy Harbour, as well as visiting the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

The French journalists enjoy a bracing walk along Portstewart Strand, with Anne Zemmour, Tourism Ireland (front, second left).

The writers had a chance to enjoy lunch at Harry’s Shack on Portstewart Strand, before travelling on to Londonderry, where they enjoyed a tour of the historic city walls and a visit to the Tower Museum.

Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s manager for southern Europe, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to bring this group of influential journalists to Northern Ireland – helping us to spread the good news about the destination through the media in France. The journalists were impressed by our spectacular scenery, the range of things to see and do, as well as by the friendliness of the people they met.

“France is one of our top four tourism markets and I am confident that the journalists’ visit will result in more positive publicity for Northern Ireland in a range of online and print publications.”