Representatives from GB-based coach and tour operators enjoyed a six-day fact finding familiarisation trip to the island of Ireland in September.
UK and Irish coach and group tour operators seen at Blessingbourne Country Estate in Co. Tyrone. Estate owners Colleen and Nick Lowry are front left and right.
The trip, organised by Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Failte Ireland, began in Belfast. Hosts Northern Ireland Tourism welcomed the group to Belfast Cathedral for a two-and-a-half hour b2b workshop, bringing coach and tour operators together with representatives from the country’s destinations, visitor attractions, hotels and tourism suppliers. A delicious dinner, complete with magnificent musical entertainment from well-known violinist Eimear Bradley, set the scene for the days that followed.
Well known violinist Eimear Bradley entertained the group at the Tourism Northern Ireland reception held in Belfast Cathedral (Photo: Tourism Northern Ireland)
Highlights of two full days in Northern Ireland included a visit to Blessingbourne Country Estate, a relaxing cruise on Lough Erne on the ‘Lady of the Lake’ as part of the exploration of the picturesque Fermanagh Lakelands, a visit underground to see the spectacular Marble Arch Caves, and a tour of the famous Belleek Pottery.
Tour guide Una explained why Belleek Pottery has become famous across the world
Crossing into the Republic of Ireland, hosts Failte Ireland produced an itinerary focusing on ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’. This included a cookery demonstration at Ghan House in Carlingford, and a visit to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre near Drogheda. There was an opportunity to bake bread, dance a jig, play a bodhran and milk a cow at Causey Farm, and hear about the filming of ‘Braveheart’ at Trim Castle.
Pauline Bull from Taurus Holidays (left) and Claire Muir from Andrews of Tideswell engage in the mystical art of bread-making at Causey Farm
But it was a visit to Slane Castle, home to the eponymous distillery, and the location for the famous rock concerts, that provided the biggest surprise. Sitting down to the usual ‘welcome’ video inside the castle, we were greeted on screen by the owner Lord Henry Mountcharles. Sitting in a comfy chair, and seemingly without notes, he told the story of the castle, its destruction by fire, and its restoration. It was a remarkable piece of storytelling, and surprisingly emotional, leaving many of the group, and this writer included, with a tear in the eye.
Slane Castle with, out of shot to the right, Slane Distillery. The castle’s ‘welcome’ video has to be one of the best in any visitor attraction, anywhere!
The main part of the trip ended with a b2b workshop held at Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa.
GB coach and group operators (and a blue-shirted writer and tourism consultant) pose for the Failte Ireland photographer before the start of the full-day b2b workshop
Congratulations to the teams from Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Failte Ireland for a well organised, enjoyable and informative fam trip.
Here are more photos from the visit:
At Blessingbourne Country Estate in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, close to the border with County Fermanagh, visitors will be met by ‘Lady Mary’. She’s a stern sort, and doesn’t stand any messing about. She also looks disapprovingly at any female guests wearing trousers. “Are you cyclists?” she enquiresThe imposing exterior of BlessingbourneOnwards to the National Trust’s Castle Coole. The transport for the Northern Ireland part of the trip was supplied by Ulsterbus ToursThe ‘Lady of the Lake’, operated by the Manor House Hotel at Killadeas near Enniskillen, takes the group for a relaxing cruise, and lunch, on Lower Lough Erne, the centrepiece of the picturesque Fermanagh LakelandsMore publicity photos for our hostsThis is the Round Tower on Devenish Island, a feature of a boat trip on Lower Lough ErneArrival in Enniskillen, the ‘capital’ of the Fermanagh LakelandsManor House Country Hotel, situated by Lower Lough ErneBelleek Pottery, already a well known visitor attraction for many UK-based tour operatorsThe Belleek crest. Hard to argue with the claim!Belleek Pottery, off to the left, sits on the border with Co. Donegal and the Republic of Ireland. This is the border, with the road sign showing the speed limit in kilometres the only indication that you’re leaving the UK.Belleek Pottery is also where Tourism Northern Ireland hands the group over to Failte Ireland (pronounced ‘fault cha’). It’s also time to say goodbye to our Ulsterbus Tours Irizar i6, and board a Volvo 9700 operated by Fureys Tours of Sligo.Time for a show-round at Slieve Russell Hotel near Ballyconnell, Co. CavanAt Ghan House in Carlingford, on Ireland’s east coast, there’s an opportunity to watch chef Ronan Lawless demonstrate his culinary skills in preparing mussels and oysters.Nicely done Ronan!Back at Belleek Pottery, Failte Ireland welcomed the group with these rather natty orange waterproof jackets carrying the branding for ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’. You’ll see more orange jackets in the following photos! Modelling the range are (l-r) Helen Brown from Leger Holidays, Ruth Gould from Action Tours, and Pauline Bull from Taurus HolidaysThe Volvo waits for its morning departure from the modern d-hotel in the east coast town of Drogheda, located 20 minutes or so north of Dublin AirportThe Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre tells the story of the famous battle that took place on the site in 1690 between King William III and his father-in-law King James II. The guide sets the scene before leading the group insideFailte Ireland supplied the group with these natty waterproof jackets. The branding is for ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’, the second of the National Tourism Development Authority’s recent major marketing initiatives. The first was the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’. A third, ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ is now being promoted. Each initiative aims to raise awareness of the different parts of the country, and inspire tour planners to take a closer lookA coach parking sign at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre. What happens if you don’t turn up in a tri-axle isn’t clear!Onwards to Slane Castle where coaches drop-off by the front door. At this point the group was entering the castle for the first time, completely unaware of the remarkable video that they were about to see! Slane Distillery is located a short distance to the right of the castleA glimpse inside Slane CastleCausey Farm, near Navan in Co. Meath, run by the delightful Murtagh family, offers a range of hands-on experiences for groups of all ages. Wearing your orange jacket was optional
Bread-making was first on the schedule, with real eggs being tossed around (look carefully) for the group to catch (and they did!)Concentration from Claire Muir of Andrews of Tideswell as an egg approaches“Don’t drop it!” Lorna Dawson, from Taurus Holidays (left), takes her turn in the amusing egg-catching activityKate Watton (left) and Ruth Gould from Action Tours get stuck in to the bread-making process. The results were excellent, very tasty, and consumed over lunch‘Gloria’, a Causey Farm residentMore Causey Farm residentsA sheepdog demonstration, the sheep clearly impressed by the orange jacketsA welcome to Causey FarmThe orange jackets prepare to storm Trim Castle in Co. Meath, north west of Dublin. The castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland, was a film location for the 1995 film ‘Braveheart’Trim CastleTrim Castle offers some excellent views from the top of its wallsOne final photo showing Katherine Worsley from Greatdays Travel Group (left), Stuart Render, Rosie Peattie from Dream Escape, and Ann Marie Murphy from Failte Ireland with one of the 80 visitor orientation signs erected to guide visitors through Ireland’s Ancient East. The house colour for the initiative is orange, ah, wait a minute…!
