Retired astronaut Hadfield makes giant leap for Irish tourism

Chris Hadfield, the retired Canadian astronaut, rock star, and internet sensation, began his new role as an ambassador for tourism to Ireland with four short films promoting the Emerald Isle.

He shot the online films — called An Astronaut’s Guide To The Island Of Ireland — during a trip earlier this where he spent several days taking in the attractions.

Tourism Ireland is hoping the world-wide interest in the former astronaut, who beamed several stunning shots of Ireland from space while he was commander of the International Space Station last year, will help woo potential holiday-makers.

The first film — available online at Ireland.com — features Donegal and the scenery of the Inishowen Peninsula. It also features some charming footage of Cmdr Hadfield learning ‘an cupla focal’ from local schoolchildren in Buncrana, as well as enjoying an evening of traditional music in McGrory’s of Culdaff.

The other three films, which will be rolled out around the world from today, feature the attractions of Titanic Belfast and the Guinness Storehouse, plus footage of Mr Hadfield learning to play hurling at the GAA clubs of Na Fianna in Dublin and Cushendall in Co Antrim.

Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said Cmdr Hadfield “is an enormously popular global figure and I am confident that the four films we have created of his visit to Ireland will be seen and shared by millions of potential holidaymakers around the world — inspiring them to come and sample the destination for themselves”.

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar said he was “delighted” to have Cmdr Hadfield’s help.