Tourism chiefs target British film buffs

Tourism chiefs have launched a new promotion aimed at encouraging British film fans to visit this country.

Tourism Ireland has teamed up with DVD subscription company Lovefilm for a promotion celebrating Ireland’s classic films, including 'Ondine' with Colin Farrell, and 'Ryan’s Daughter', the great David Lean film.

Lovefilm boasts about 1.2 million subscriber households in the UK and about 4.5 million visitors to its website each month.

Running until mid-June, the promotion will feature a special microsite – www.lovefilm.com/ireland – allowing people to explore the top 20 Irish films, browse some interesting Irish film facts and trivia and enter a competition to win a trip to Ireland’s famous film locations.

"This is a different way to bring the island of Ireland to the attention of potential British visitors," said Tourism Ireland spokesman Lawrence Bate.