Contacts Available for Interview In Ireland
Ireland’s Wonderful West Interviewee Contacts
in New York, May 1 and May 2
List of interviewees download this file 
Contact Elaine Doyle at Tourism Ireland on 212-418-0817 or edoyle@tourismireland.com to interview any of the following:
Corporate
| Paul O’Toole – CEO, Tourism Ireland |
Joe Byrne – EVP, Tourism Ireland |
| Chris Meehan – Shannon Development |
John Concannon – Failte Ireland |
| Gillian Binchy – Failte Ireland |
|
Festivals & Events Ambassadors
| Participant |
Organisation |
Region |
| 1. Paul Fahey |
Galway Arts |
Ireland West |
| 2. John Cromlish |
Galway Arts |
Ireland West |
| 3. Story teller |
Batt Burns |
Kerry |
| 4. Nandi O’Sullivan |
Shannon Development |
Shannon Dev |
| 5. John Meehan |
Ballyshannon Folk Festival |
North West |
Accommodation Ambassadors
| Participant |
Organisation |
Region |
| 6. Rory Concannon |
Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa |
Ireland West |
| 7. Paula Carroll |
Ashford Castle |
Ireland West |
| 8. Sandhouse Hotel |
Neil Britton |
North West |
| 9. Solis Lough Eske |
Vivienne Nyhan |
North West |
| 10. Town & Country Homes Association |
Kate Burns |
All of West |
| 11. Adare Manor |
Anita Higgins |
Shannon Dev |
| 12. Park Hotel, Kenmare |
Francis Brennan |
Kerry |
| 13. Killarney Park/ Kerry Convention Bureau |
Niamh O’Shea |
Kerry |
Golf & Activities Ambassadors
| Participant |
Organisation |
Region |
| 14. West & North West Golf Links |
Justin Farrell |
Ireland West |
| 15. Swing |
Paddy O’Looney |
Kerry |
| 16. Doonbeg Golf Club |
Joe Russell |
Shannon |
| 17. IGTOA |
Marty Carr |
All |
| 18. SouthWestWalks Ireland |
John Ahern |
Kerry |
| 19. County Arms Hotel (Walking, Angling, Cruising) |
Peter Loughnan |
Shannon |
| 20. Adventure Sports |
Con Moriarty |
Kerry |
Culture & Heritage Ambassadors
| Participant |
Organisation |
Region |
| 21. Kylemore Abbey |
Aidan Grimes |
Ireland West |
| 22 Lissadell House |
Isobel Cassidy |
North West |
| 23. Shannon Dev |
Chris Meehan |
Shannon |
| 24. Limerick City |
Sean Lally |
Shannon |
| 25. Musical Instrument maker |
Paul Doyle |
Ireland West |
Culinary Ambassadors
| Participant |
Organisation |
Region |
| 26. Good Food Ireland |
Margaret Jeffares |
All |
| 27. Good Food Ireland |
Peter Ward |
Shannon |
| 28. Good Food Ireland |
Sean Kelly |
Ireland West |
| 29. Good Food Ireland |
Neil McGrory |
North West |
| 30. Oyster Shucker |
Patrick McMurray |
|
| 31. Ashford Castle |
Stefan Matz |
Ireland West |
Regional Ambassadors
| Participant |
Region |
| 32. Anne Melia |
Ireland West |
| 33. Paul McLoone |
North West |
| 34. Pat Daly |
Shannon |
| 35. Declan Power |
Shannon Airport |
| 36. Fiona Buckley |
Kerry |
Additional contacts available for interview.
For a complete list of Cultural and Tourism Experts download this file
For a complete list of other Local Experts download this file
| John King |
Director Heritage and Tourism
for the Shannon Region |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
kingj@shannondev.ie |
| Web: |
www.shannonregiontourism.ie |
| Tel: |
+353 (0)86 2561673 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
John King is the Tourism Director of Shannon Development, the regional tourism authority. John is an expert on tourism in the Shannon region, what to see, what to do and where to go. |
| Margaret O’ Shaughnessy |
| Foynes Flying Boat Museum |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
famm@eircom.net |
| Web: |
www.flyingboatmuseum.com |
Tel:
Mobile: |
+353 (0)69 65416
+353 (0) 87 2490830 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Margaret can talk about Irish coffee, it was invented in Foynes, and County Limerick in 1943, there is now an International Irish Coffee Making Festival there annually. The port of Foynes played a central aviation role in world aviation during the 1930’s and ‘40’s with any movie stars and presidents who were flying from Europe to the US having to stop at Foynes flying boat airport to refuel. Actress Maureen O’ Hara (of the ‘Quiet Man’ movie fame) is a patron of the Foynes Flying Boat museum which is dedicated to recapturing the famous flying boat era. This year they will have a Boeing flying aircraft kitted out as it would have been in that glamorous era. |
| Stella Mew |
| Chief Executive Officer - Yeats Society |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
info@yeats-sligo.com |
| Web: |
www.yeats-sligo.com |
| Tel: |
+353 071 9142693 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Area of Expertise: Yeats & The Yeats Connections. The Yeats Society was founded in Sligo in 1958 in order to commemorate and honor the memory of W.B. Yeats, and to promote appreciation of his poetry and other writings, and an awareness of the other members of this talented family. The Society operates from the Yeats Memorial Building in the very centre of Sligo, overlooking the River Garavogue. The building operates as the administrative centre of the Society and houses the Yeats Exhibition Centre of the Society, The Sligo Art Gallery, and the Yeats River Café. The Library provides reading and learning space for students who wish to consult its unique collection of books, and to listen to and view the DVD collection of lectures given at the Years Summer Schools over more than forty years. The Society seeks to contribute to the many cultural activities in Sligo, and gladly provides space for book launches, poetry readings, lectures and public meetings. |
| Anne-Marie Diffley |
| Visitor Services Manager - Trinity College Library |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Address: |
Trinity College Library
College Street, Dublin 2, Ireland |
Tel:
Fax: |
+ 353 1 8962320
+ 353 1 896 2690 |
| Email: |
adiffley@tcd.ie |
| Web: |
www.tcd.ie/Library/heritage |
| |
| Denis Leonard |
| Limerick Civic Trust |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 (0)61 313 399 |
| Email: |
info@limerickcivictrust.ie |
| Web: |
www.limerickcivictrust.ie |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
LIMERICK'S new look architecture has won much outside admiration for the developers of today. The preservation of the old Limerick has made Limerick Civic Trust a role model for the rest of the country. Projects on Georgian Limerick have won national and European environment awards for the trust. It has an impressive CV of achievement and the man with his hand on the tiller from day one is Denis Leonard, it's director said; “We have help start up 11 of these, and this is a great achievement to have people from Dublin, Cork, Waterford and major towns approaching us to find out what we have achieved and how we went about it. This something that Limerick can be proud of that the Civic Trust is the role model for the rest of the country. |
| Gerard Griffin |
| Dolphin Watching & Scattery Island Centre on the Atlantic coast of Ireland |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 65 9051327 |
| Email: |
info@limerickcivictrust.ie |
| Web: |
www.discoverdolphins.ie
www.shannondolphins.ie
www.heritageireland.ie |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Shannon estuary is Ireland’s first marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and home to the countries only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins resident in the Shannon estuary are bottlenose dolphins and they belong to a single group of marine mammals called cetaceans, which includes all whales, dolphins and porpoises of which there are thought to be over 80 different species. Cetaceans fall into either of two categories, baleen whales and toothed whales, bottlenose dolphins are in the latter group. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) occurs worldwide in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters and in Europe the most important concentrations appear to be of the west coast of Ireland, the population in the Shannon estuary is the only known resident group in Irish waters and is only one of six such groups in Europe. Each year calves are born between May and August, newborn calves are easily recognizable from their small size and neo-natal folds, which line their bodies; calves are observed on quite a number of trips during this period. Gerard Griffin operates a dolphin watching business from Co Clare, as well as a ferry service to Scattery Island which has a seasonal visitor centre. This Information Centre on the mainland interprets the island on which a monastery is situated. The monastery, consisting of a round tower and several churches, was founded by St. Senan in the early part of the 6th century. His most famous pupil was St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. A wonderful exhibition on the history of these monuments and on the wildlife of the area is housed in this Centre. |
| Miles Breen |
| Renowned Award Winning Actor C/O Island Theatre Company, Limerick |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 (0)61 410433 |
| Email: |
info@islandtheatrecompany.ie |
| Web: |
www.islandtheatrecompany.ie |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Limerick 5 line verse of poetry verse is a unique form of poetry synonymous with Limerick. The ‘Limerick’ is a form of comic verse consisting of five anapaestic lines of which the first, second, and fifth have three metrical feet and rhyme together and the third and fourth have two metrical feet and rhyme together. The 18th century Maigue poets, for Co. Limerick, writing in their native Irish, produced a great body of poetry, and the custom was widely adopted in other locations in Limerick City and County. Soon the neighbouring Counties of Cork, Clare and Tipperary began to pen the verse. The themes of these early works included love poems, drinking songs, poems on national affairs and satires on public figures. Two of the first, and most famous, exponents of the Limerick were poet and publican Sean O’ Tuama (1706-’75), and his friend Andrias MacCriath (1710-1793). O’ Tuama and MacCraith grew up together in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick and were educated in one of the many hedge schools of the time, with a traditional education incorporating Latin and Greek studies.
Actor Miles Breen is a wonderful orator and would be available to recite some Limericks for you. |
| Aodhagan Behan |
| ‘Woman of the House’ (Bean a tí), Bunratty Folk Park, County Clare |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
061-711246 / 086-2451535 |
| Email: |
BehanA@shannondev.ie |
| Web: |
www.shannonheritge.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Bunratty Folk Park, recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland. There is an extensive array of vernacular buildings; indicative of all of the social strata from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House, a fine example of a Georgian residence for the gentry. Traditional jobs and crafts are also represented, milling, the forge, pottery, printing, baking, farming etc. Costumed characters that recreate the traditions and lifestyle of a bygone age animate the Folk Park. The characters include the Bean a Ti (woman of the house), R.I.C. policeman, Schoolteacher, Blacksmith and so on. Eithne is a traditional ‘woman of the house’ at Bunratty Folk Park which recreates what life was like in 19th century Ireland. The Folk Park has examples of thatch cottages from that period and animators dressed in period costume bring this period of Irish history to life for visitors. Eithne can talk about living conditions for people in those time, the famine years in Ireland which forces million of Irish people to emigrate to the US and Australia. She is also an expert on baking from that period and part of her job involves cooking traditional dishes like griddle break over an open fire at the Folk Park, porter cake (made from Irish Guinness), and scones and apple tarts. |
| Katherine Webster |
| New Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 86 8365836 |
| Email: |
mocklerp@shannondev.ie |
| Web: |
www.shannonheritage.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The new Visitor Centre, opening in early 2007, will include a major Interpretative area containing exhibits and display on a range of aspects of the Cliffs of Moher. Visitor facilities within the building, which will be subsumed into the contours of the hillside to minimize any visual impact, will include public toilets, a parent’s room, a coffee shop, a retail shop and tourist information office and a restaurant with panoramic views of the Cliffs and Liscannor Bay. External facilities will include coach drop off and pick up points, bicycle parking, a picnic area, and six craft worker units for local traders and a large paved concourse at the building entrance with seating. The development will also include elevated viewing areas, landscaping, new pathways and a ranger service which is expected to greatly enhance the visitor experience at one of Irelands most significant and popular tourist locations. It is scheduled to open in 2007 with superb visitor facilities, cafe guide services, and auditorium and exhibition areas in a specially designed building. The foyer will be modern and spacious and will give access to the retail shop, tourist information office, exhibition centre and the cafe. Upstairs the restaurant will provide panoramic views of the Cliffs and Liscannor Bay. |
|
| Elaine Craig |
Northern Ireland
Destination PR Officer, NITB |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Web: |
www.nitb.com |
| Tel: |
028 9044 1576 |
| |
| Willie Daly |
| Matchmaker & Horse Whisperer |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
williedaly@eircom.net |
| Web: |
www.williedaly.com |
| Tel: |
+353 065 7071385 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Matchmaking Festival takes place every year during September and October in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland. The Matchmakers of old were the dealers who attended street fairs, as it was they who know the farmers who had eligible sons and daughters around the country. They invited the farmers from all over Ireland to attend the Festival the following September, and it was they who collected the generous dowries when the matches were made. Today there are just two matchmakers left in County Clare, Mr. Willie Daly (Horse Dealer) who runs the riding centre outside Ennistymon and Mr. James White, hotelier, and proprietor of the Imperial Hotel, Lisdoonvarna |
| Colm Quilligan |
| Dublin Literary Pub Crawl |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
famm@eircom.net |
| Web: |
www.flyingboatmuseum.com |
Tel:
Mobile: |
+353 (0)1 670 5602
+353 (0) 87 263 0270 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
20th year of the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Dublin Literary Pub Crawl:
Historical Walking Tours of Dublin, Day tours to Wicklow & Glendalough, Old Library & the Book of Kells exhibition.
My direct lines is 8962320 or also try 8962308. |
| Catherine Crosse |
| James Hoban Architect of the Whitehouse |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Email: |
catherine@kceb.ie |
| Tel: |
+353 (0)86-8245644 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Callan in Kilkenny is the home place of James Hoban original Architect for the White House in Washington. |
| Damian O'Brien |
| Product Management Officer - Cultural Tourism |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Address: |
Fáilte Ireland
Amiens St., Dublin 1, IRELAND. |
| Email: |
damian.obrien@failteireland.ie |
Tel:
Lo-Call: |
+353 1 8847127
1890 525525 (within Ireland) |
| |
| Imelda Rey |
Product Management Officer –
Festivals & Cultural Events |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Address: |
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Tel:
Fax: |
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| Email: |
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| Web: |
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| Noel Murphy |
| Shannon Castle Entertainers |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+ 353 (0) 86-3845890 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond and stands on the banks of the Rathy River. From here The Earl ruled over his Chiefdom and entertained lavishly, in fact he was famous for his hospitality. Following this tradition of hospitality, the world renowned Bunratty Medieval Banquet is held twice nightly throughout the year. For over 40 years the Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, have welcomed guests from the four corners of the globe to join them at The Earl's Banquet. The entertainment provided by the superb Bunratty Singers is a fitting compliment to a four course meal, a lively meal reception and of course good wine. We invite you to enjoy an unforgettable evening in the splendour of this magnificent castle. |
| Bunratty Village Mills |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 (0) 61-364321 |
| Email: |
brm@meadows-byrne.ie |
| Web: |
www.ireland-withpatpreston.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Bunratty Village Mills opened in April 1998 and is a complete shopping experience. The Mills includes a cluster of shops including Meadows and Byrne Homestore, Sweater Barn, etc. The shops feature an array of products from Ireland and abroad. A 150 seater restaurant offers its visitors’ quality locally produced foods. The new development features car/coach parking, picnic tables and a riverside walk. We are across the street from the famous 15th century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and adjacent landmark pub known as Dirty Nellies. |
| Elaine Hiney Wall |
| Gardening expert |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Mobile: |
+353 (0) 86 8270439 |
| Email: |
Hineywall@shannondev.ie |
| Web: |
www.shannonheritage.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Elaine is the head gardener with Shannon Heritage who operates a range of day visitor and evening entertainments around the Shannon Region. Elaine has been involved in a recent project to restore two secret gardens in the grounds of 15th century Bunratty Castle and 15th century Knappogue Castle both in Co. Clare. She is a gardening expert and can talk about the curative properties of plants. |
| Maria O’ Gorman Skelly |
| Clarion Hotel Limerick City |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Mobile: |
+353 (0)86 8332323 |
| Email: |
mogormanskelly@clarionhotellimerick.com |
| Web: |
www.clarionhotellimerick.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Maria works with the Clarion Hotel Limerick where all US four radio stations will be broadcasting from. She has agreed to provide a holiday prize (this has been co-ordinated through Delta airlines. The Clarion Hotel is Ireland’s tallest hotel. Marie is a native of Limerick herself and can talk about local night life culture, the beat of the city and its people. Superbly located on Steamboat Quay, and just a few minutes walk from the city centre, the Clarion is the perfect retreat, with spectacular views over Limerick and its famous River Shannon. |
| Fairymount Farm – Walks & Trails |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 (0)67 21139
+353 (0)87 2726729 |
| Email: |
kennyfarm@iol.ie |
| Web: |
www.fairymountfarm.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Discover Fairymount Farm’s unique heritage, hill and lake walking trails. Up to 8 miles of interlinking trails throughout our 450acre organic sheep, horse and forestry farm which includes archaeological sites and Knockshegowna’s 700ft hilltop with its breathtaking views |
| Mary Normoyle |
| Fanningstown Castle |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
061-395989 |
| Email: |
info@fanningstowncastle.com |
| Web: |
www.fanningstowncastle.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ireland as a honeymoon destination – rent your own castle. Fanningstown Castle is a romantic, gothic style castle dating form the 12th Century nestled among dairy farms in the heart of Ireland's Golden Vale. Comprising of 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, 3 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and Golf and horseback riding can be arranged. Private fishing is available on the River Maigue. |
| Mary Hawkes-Green |
| Burren College of Art |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |
| Tel: |
+353 65 7077200 |
| Email: |
admin@burrencollege.ie |
| Web: |
www.burrencollege.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Burren College of Art offers today's art student the opportunity to study in a unique environment alongside top-ranking academics and artists. Set in the grounds of a 16th century castle against the stunning backdrop of the Burren in County Clare on Ireland's Atlantic coast, the Burren College of Art, founded in 1993 after years of planning and research on an international scale, represents a new and exciting departure in Visual Art education. The Summer Workshops offered are weeklong or weekend courses for amateurs or accomplished artists. The Summer School (4 or 6 week long) designed for college level and mature students wishing to engage in a conceptual period of creative activity. Studio and non-studio courses in photography, painting, sculpture and art history-Irish studies are offered. Classes combine instruction in the studio with work on site in the Burren landscape. The Summer School culminates with an open exhibition. |
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