French travel writers exploring attractions in Kildare

Five travel writers from France have been exploring Ireland’s Ancient East recently, taking in counties Kildare, Laois, Kilkenny and Carlow, as well as Dublin.

They are here as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Ireland’s Blue Book.

Representing various print and online publications with a combined readership of more than 777,000 people – or potential French holidaymakers – the journalists are here to find out more about the visitor experiences in Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin.

The group is staying in some of Ireland’s Blue Book’s manor houses and historic hotels in Ireland’s Ancient East, including Barberstown Castle, Castle Durrow and Mount Juliet Estate.

Their itinerary includes visits to the Book of Kells, Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny, Kilkenny Castle, Altamont Gardens in Carlow and the Rock of Dunamase and Emo Court in Co. Laois, as well as the Museum Of Style Icons and the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Co Kildare.

“Tourism Ireland is delighted to invite this group of journalists to come and discover some of the things to see and do in Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin,” said Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s Manager for Southern Europe.

“2017 was the best year ever for Irish tourism from France, when we welcomed almost 550,000 French visitors.

"We are rolling out a programme of promotional activity once again in 2018, to build on the success of the past few years and continue to grow French visitor numbers.”