10 July 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
2 million British TV viewers to see Ireland on popular show
Chris Tarrant’s popular TV series Extreme Railway Journeys has been filming in Co Cork and around Ireland. The show has around 2 million viewers per episode and airs on Channel 5 in Britain. Filming here was supported by Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland.
Presenter Chris Tarrant (left); with Sir Charles Colthurst owner Blarney Castle, filming for popular TV series Extreme Railway Journeys at Blarney Castle, Co Cork.
Chris Tarrant and the show’s production team enjoyed a whistle-stop tour around Ireland. While in Co Cork, they captured footage at Blarney Castle and enjoyed an overnight stay in the Blarney Castle Hotel.
The resulting programme will air later this year – showcasing our scenery and heritage to millions of potential British holidaymakers, as well as highlighting the ease of venturing beyond our cities into our regions via rail travel. A key focus for Tourism Ireland is to encourage more British holidaymakers to explore our regions and less-visited attractions, during the shoulder and off-season months.
“We are delighted that the team from Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys decided to film an episode around Ireland – it’s the kind of publicity that money simply could not buy and a superb way to highlight Co Cork and Ireland to 2 million people in Britain, positioning Ireland as a highly desirable place to visit,” said Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain. “Publicity – and working with TV crews like this – is an important element of Tourism Ireland’s overall promotional programme, helping to raise awareness through the media in Britain of the many things to see and do on a holiday around the island of Ireland.”
