Ambassadors help tourists see the best of Limerick

A TEAM of enthusiastic Street Ambassadors returned to Limerick yesterday, where tens of thousands of tourists have availed of their expertise over the past five years.

The latest group of roving tourists guides was unveiled at the Locke Bar and Oyster House, which was recently voted Ireland’s best Tourist Bar.

Dressed in Munster red, the 2011 street ambassadors will advise tourists on the best places to visit, eat and shop.

They also supply local hotels with a weekly events guide on what is happening in Limerick and keep an environmental watch, reporting litter offences, graffiti and infrastructure defects to Limerick City Council.

Since 2006, the street ambassadors, mainly funded by Shannon Development and The Limerick Communications Office (LCO), have helped 75,000 visitors to Limerick.

The LCO spearheads the scheme, which will run from June 29 until September 4.

“In these difficult economic times, we must make every effort to market and promote the city as an attractive tourism destination, and the ambassadors play an important role in promoting the city and ensuring that our visitors enjoy their time here,” said Eoghan Prendergast, Limerick development division manager at Shannon Development explained.

This year’s group of street ambassadors come from various backgrounds, from a former traffic warden to a local artist.

All are experienced in the role, having worked in the position during previous summers, at festival times and over the course of big rugby weekends in the city.

The 2011 street ambassadors have undergone an intensive course in local history, first aid, communications skills and basic foreign language training.

The street ambassadors will walk two routes every day, covering medieval Limerick and Limerick city centre.

At the end of each shift, each pair of street ambassadors will fill out a report form covering key issues such as the number of visitors seen, questions asked and any environmental issues.

The 2011 Street Ambassadors include local artist and photographer Eithne Deloughry O’Byrne, who has a particular interest in the arts, and history buff Declan Hassett.

Both are looking forward to their fourth and fifth years respectively as ambassadors for Limerick.