Dutch TV toasts Paddy Games

THE inaugural Paddy Games has proved a huge hit — on Dutch TV.

Millions of viewers in the Netherlands, it emerged, tuned in to watch the highlights of the madcap competition on Dutch national television last night.

The footage was captured by London-based correspondent Arjen van der Horst, who flew in for last Saturday’s competition in Cork with a small TV crew from broadcasters NOS Journaal which supplies news bulletins to Dutch TV.

And, last night, viewers were said to have given the madness a huge thumbs up.

The highlights of the games were screened six times yesterday over several time slots on Holland’s main news bulletin for NOS, the Dutch public broadcaster.

Arjen said: I have been inundated with emails and messages from viewers who thought the whole concept of the Paddy Games was hilarious. It was a very good response.”

Arjen told The Irish Examiner he always knew the event would prove a huge hit in Holland.

“When I first heard about the Paddy Games and flagged it up to my bosses in the newsroom, they just said they loved it. There was no hesitation,” he said.

“The Paddy Games would always be welcome in Holland,” he added.