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A TD HAS invited the BBC to film an episode of Top Gear on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin raised the issue at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
This morning Griffin told TheJournal.ie that he had had received an acknowledgement from the BBC and was pursuing the idea with the support of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
“Top Gear is one of the most-viewed TV shows in the world: it’s a massive opportunity to showcase the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Griffin noted that the UK is Ireland’s biggest tourism market and an appearance on the programme could lead to a surge in visitors.
Any place I’ve ever seen on Top Gear, I’ve certainly felt the urge to go there. They always portray places as interesting. They might take a novelty approach, like driving a three-wheeler, or a tractor or a super car … The Stig could do a time trial of the Ring of Kerry.
When completed, the 2,500km route will encompass 159 different attractions along Ireland’s coast.
Sinéad Grace from Tourism Ireland said that the group have publicity teams all over the world who engage with TV and radio stations.
She noted that Top Gear was one of the shows on their “hit list”, adding she was hopeful the BBC might take them up on the offer.
TV and film are recognised as strong influencers for prospective holidaymakers, so Tourism Ireland regularly works with TV and film production companies, to facilitate the making of travel and lifestyle programmes and films in Ireland.
Griffin said that he didn’t think an increased number of drivers on the route would lead to road safety issues.
“If some fella wants to act the maggot in his car he can do it down the road in Sheffield or Manchester, he doesn’t have to come to Ireland for that.”
He added that the racism controversies surrounding presenter Jeremy Clarkson shouldn’t prevent Top Gear from filming in Ireland, as the impact of the show is bigger than any one personality.
“People in the public eye, all they have to say is one word and they mightn’t mean it and it’s taken the wrong way … Obviously I don’t condone any form of racism.”
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I look forward to the episode of Top Gear where a half cut Stig ferries punters at record pace to and from the Healy Raes pub in Kilgarvan.
I thought the Stig was Schumacher?
Catch up, Boo!
The Healy-raes won’t be happy that Brendan Griffin is stealing their limelight ….
Politicians getting priorities right once again
Promoting tourism, what’s wrong with that. If it brought just 1000 more visitors to our shore then it’s worth it. Better pushing this than a pot hole repair outside mrs Murphys house that only 2 cars drive on.
What tourists? World knows Kerry is beautiful and no amount of gas guzzling clarkson supporters will make it any better
So you’re saying a politician promoting an amazing driving route with the help of the world’s biggest motoring show is a bad thing??
I’m saying there are bigger issues this TD is not covering, and top gear support racism so not exactly encouraging for the TD
Each politician has different roles and responsiblities. By promoting the Wild Atlantic Way, especially to a vast world wide audience through Top Gear, Griffin is potentially increasing tourism and thus revenue to these areas, hopefully creating a few more jobs along the way. That is not my definition of a bad thing. On your racism comment, Clarkson mummbled the N word in a line of a song during a bloody out take. He neither directed it at anyone, nor wrote the lyrics himself. He also immediately made a groveling apology when this little whisper was heard. To say the entire BBC support racism because of an overreaction in a world gone mad with political correctness is just foolish.
Also Brendan Griffin deals with every issue the people of Kerry bring to him, no matter how small! The man has great time for everyone and has good ideas at national level to boot! An honest, hard working politician. A very rare breed!
Brilliant idea! If they did happen to come across puck fair they would think we’re mental!
All are welcome to visit the Kingdom of Kerry.
Thanks
You would never make it Kevin, they’ve no pringles down there.
Kevin Higgins you talk a lot of crap. Find out your facts before you start spouting!
Looking forward to seeing it. A beautiful part of our beautiful country.
Golden opportunity to highlight our country, never mind the whining from the ecoloons most of us drive and Jeremy Clarkson would bring more tourists here than O’bama.
Maybe if RTE & the government of the day supported Irish motorsport there would be no need to ask (pay) a British production company to promote Irish roads. The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship gets zero coverage in the media, as does the Circuit of Ireland Rally or events at Mondello Park, yet all of these events are well attended and have the potential to be much bigger both at home and abroad.
I watch Top Gear and they do a good job at promoting most of the countries they visit, Mexico being the obvious exception. But if there is money changing hands for this to happen I feel it could be better spent elsewhere, where it is actually needed and where the long term benefits outlast a few stylish aerial shots of a bunch of multi millionaires in foreign sports cars rippin’ up the Ring Of Kerry.
Top gear in Kerry , they should have them over for the puck fair
You young people won’t remember, but Top Gear was once an informative half-hour magazine programme about cars and motoring.
and you might remember Neal – that show got axed
Ha true, with Quentin Wilson and some fella with a beard whose name I can’t remember.
Chris Goffey I think. And a fine beard it was too!
Speaking of beards, Noel Edmunds presented Old Top Gear back in the day too.
hmmm , it will like the episode they filmed in Albania ,somehow everyone will look like an overweight toothless hillbilly, staring in amazement as the brits abroad dazzle them in their bling.
What do you call a kerryman sitting on top of a bag of potatoes?
Top of the pops.
Some say his driving skills are the result of reverse-engineered alien biotechnology….
Some say stig honed his skills on the starship enterprise and it was him not Scotty who said the engines will blow sir .
Why would you invite that arrogant buffon Clarkson anywhere.
Maybe the TD is cool with racists
Denise, are you ever happy? Even on a good news story you manage to have a sad comment. Can’t be healthy for you
I think Clarksons racist comments were sad, shows his fear of other races , or hate were really unsure as he refuses to comment on it . I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
So does that mean the black people fear their own race as they constantly refer to themselves by that word?
Wow
Wow.
Because Denise
Millions and millions watch Top Gear – are you that stupid?
Jesus Aaron. Your not supposed to use that word “b***k”
Didn’t know they replaced The Stig after Ben Collins left.
Stig has do challenge after a few pints at heely rays pub
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