Jayne Shackleford, Manager, Tourism Ireland in Canada; Northern Ireland's First Minister, Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MLA; Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA MP; and Joe Byrne, Executive V.P. US & Canada
Joe Byrne, Executive V.P. US & Canada; Northern Ireland's First Minister, Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MLA; Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA MP; and Jayne Shackleford, Manager, Tourism Ireland in Canada
March was the month of green – not only did we look for those early buds on the trees but everyone always loves to become Irish for a day on March 17th. Imagine those lucky folks who get to be Irish 365 days of the year!
Folks like Jayne Shackleford, who heads up the Irish Tourist Board for Canada, who celebrated our early March spring by hosting a group of dignitaries in swanky Yorkville. The purpose of their visit was to promote some very exciting developments – especially in Northern Ireland.
These include the opening of the impressive-sounding Titanic exhibit in Belfast where the stunning but doomed vessel was built. Billed as the world’s largest Titanic-themed attraction, the 6 storey building opened Saturday and features 9 interpretive galleries revealing the sights, sounds, stories and even smells of the ship.
Equally exiting, for next year, is that the lovely walled city now known as Derry-Londonderry has been chosen as the U.K.’s 1st “City of Culture” and will be celebrating all year long with arts, music, outdoor exhibits and the Gathering – a coming together of the amazingly diverse Irish diaspora. All you Kennedys and O’Reillys, start packing your bags!
Here in YTO we’ve already been treated to a “spontaneous” Irish event: a flashmob in Dundas Square on March 16th. And in case you wondered how these complex events seem to effortlessly take place, here’s the inside scoop from Jayne: “We hired a choir of 100 people plus 10 dancers who rehearsed in a church hall on the Danforth. We didn’t really have a back-up plan in case of rain, but luckily the gods were looking down on us and the sun was shining. So far we’ve had over 50,000 views on YouTube – and it was all great fun!”
It’s clear that Canada is important to Ireland Tourism. Our visits were up 5% last year, and Shackleford hopes this year that we’ll exceed over 100,000. Add excellent access, a growing golf market and “spillover” from the royal/Olympian events in the U.K.. Toss in some of the legendary luck of the Irish and she should have her way!
