German journalists have a ‘write time’ in Mayo

A GROUP of travel journalists from Germany and Austria are visiting Ireland this week to explore Mayo and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The journalists - who write for various regional German newspapers and magazines - were invited here by Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland.

The group followed an action-packed itinerary to discover some of the many outdoor activities on offer for overseas visitors along the Wild Atlantic Way, including Downpatrick Head, the Céide Fields, a hike in the Wild Nephin National Park, the Croaghaun Cliffs walk on Achill, cycling along the Great Western Greenway from Achill to Westport and a guided walking tour of Clew Bay with tour guide Michael Mangan. They stayed in the Twin Trees Hotel in Ballina and the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport.

Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Ireland’s manager Germany, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of influential journalists to visit Mayo and Ireland, to come and enjoy some of our superb outdoor activities. Through their articles, they will encourage their readers to come and experience our beautiful scenery and activities for themselves.

“With walks, trails and hikes to suit every ability, we’re reminding prospective German visitors that one of the best ways to truly appreciate our spectacular scenery is to explore it on foot. We’re reminding them that walking and cycling in Mayo and Ireland allows them take in the sights, sounds and landscapes as nature intended - at their own pace.

“They can take their pick from our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, national parks, beach walks and coastal trails, or our historical sites.”

Germany is the third-largest source of visitors to the island of Ireland and one of the largest outbound travel markets in the world. In 2019, we welcomed 749,000 German visitors to the island of Ireland.