Hadfield touches down to command tourism drive

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is to become a tourism ambassador for Ireland.

The former International Space Station commander, who became an internet sensation after recording a version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity while in space, has agreed to promote the country to his millions of fans.

“Having seen Ireland from space, it’s great to be able to give Chris Hadfield a closer look at what Ireland has to offer on the ground,” said Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar.

“His enthusiasm and energy make him a great ambassador for Irish tourism, and should help to persuade many more to come and see Ireland close-up in 2014. I’m really delighted he has agreed to help us out.”

Cmdr Hadfield and wife Helen will spend their trip like tourists, visiting Croke Park and the Guinness Storehouse in the capital.

Tourism Ireland has convinced him to appear in three short films documenting his visit, which will feature different attractions such as Gaelic games and the country’s famous scenery.

In Dublin, Cmdr Hadfield is to visit the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, and speak at the Laya Healthcare Pendulum Summit.

His itinerary also includes Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula, the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way.

He will also visit the North, including Armagh,Cushendall, the Glens of Antrim, and the Titanic experience in Belfast.

Cmdr Hadfield, whose daughter is a student at Trinity College Dublin, has visited before.

He tweeted from space last year in Irish, saying: “Ta Eire fioralainn! Land of green hills and dark beer. With Dublin glowing in the Irish night.”

He has also promised to tweet about what he sees during his current visit, which it is hoped will encourage his more than 1m followers to plan their own holiday to Ireland.

Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said he was delighted to secure Cmdr Hadfield’s support.

“I would like to personally thank him for his tremendous generosity in agreeing to help us promote the island of Ireland around the world,” said Mr Gibbons.

“Of course, he already began promoting Ireland last year, with the dramatic photos he tweeted from the International Space Station to his huge Twitter fanbase.

“Chris is an enormously popular, global figure and I am confident that ourfilms of his visit to Ireland will be seen and shared by millions of potentialholidaymakers around the world — inspiring them to come and sample thedestination themselves.”

The short films featuring Cmdr Hadfield will appear on Tourism Ireland’s Facebook page for the organisation’s 2m fans across the world to see.