Come back French tourists, all is forgiven after Thierry...

THIERRY HENRY’s infamous handball did more than just cost Ireland a place in the last World Cup, according to the new edition of France’s best-selling travel guide.

The chief editor of Le Guide du Routard, the travel bible of the French-speaking world, believes many of his countrymen changed their travel plans out of fear of how they would be received in Ireland.

The France striker — who yesterday re-signed for former club Arsenal on loan — robbed Ireland of a place in the 2010 World Cup when he intentionally handled the ball in a play-off in Paris to set up a decisive French goal.

But Pierre Josse, editor of the travel book, has urged French readers not to worry about the “Thierry Henry controversy”, insisting tourists to Ireland had no reason to be anxious about disgruntled fans.

Mr Josse, who has visited Ireland over 40 times, said he believed many French nationals were put off visiting these shores in the aftermath of the 2009 controversy. He admitted that had the roles been reversed and France crashed out of the tournament unfairly, his countrymen might not have been quite so welcoming to Irish tourists.

“I am urging French readers not to dwell on the Thierry Henry incident at all. I think many changed their travel plans immediately after the World Cup play-off and went elsewhere. But time is a healer and, besides that, my message is that Irish people are extremely fair and forgiving and will not hold a grudge.

“I want French people to know they needn’t worry in the slightest about it.

“If the situation was reversed though, I have to say that I think French people would still be upset and angry about it.”

The new Irish guidebook, due to be published in March, is likely to help boost visitor numbers from France — the fourth-largest market for visitors to Ireland. Mr Josse, from Brittany, also believes the recession has made Irish people more welcoming.

“I personally love Ireland and know the country very well, having travelled here so many times. But I found people, particularly in Dublin, pretty rude and vulgar during the Celtic Tiger. They lost their spirit.

“But from a tourist’s point of view, it’s good that there’s a recession, because people have reverted back to being how they used to be a lot more. They are more friendly, courteous and welcoming, just like they were before the boom, and the prices have come down, so the best time to visit is now.”