Jonathan gets to grips with road bowling in Fenor
‘The Road Less Travelled’ to showcase Ireland’s unique Food and Drink Experiences
in Season Four
Renowned US travel and adventure show, ‘The Road Less Travelled’, has been touring around Ireland this week. Presented by explorer and adventurer Jonathan Legg and broadcast to a collective audience of up to six million, the show travelled the country (on an itinerary designed by Fáilte Ireland) as the presenter and crew filmed an episode for their upcoming fourth season showcasing Irish food and drink along with some new and unusual experiences on offer across the country.
While in Ireland Jonathan and his production crew went right to the heart of Irish cuisine as the crew discovered Dingle Cookery School and took on cow-milking and butter making. They also enjoyed Halloween cooking with Ballymaloe Cookery School Chef, Rachel Allen. The show also focused, amongst other things, on the discovery of Irish whiskey. They discovered distilleries old and new including Jameson, Tullamore Dew and the Dingle Distillery.
As their visit to Ireland comes to a close today, Jonathan Legg described their recent experience in Ireland:
"The food in Ireland was a highlight. Once you put a forkful in your mouth it immediately impresses. After speaking with some of the country’s top chefs I understand why. Irish chefs are taking real pride in locally sourcing their food and the quality of the ingredients comes directly from the quality of the land on which it was farmed or raised. The butter, steak, and cabbage jump to my mind as the best I've ever had."
Fáilte Ireland planned, hosted and managed 1,358 bespoke itineraries for overseas media in 2014 which had an EAV of €86.3m and an estimated reach of 1.1bn
Speaking about the rationale for supporting such a visit, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Publicity, Ciara Sugrue explained –
“Partnering with high quality travel shows such as ‘The Road Less Travelled’ provides Ireland with a publicity opportunity that would rival any traditional marketing and we were delighted to be able to create a bespoke itinerary which ensured a visually unique experience.
“Just over one third of overseas visitor expenditure in Ireland is spent on food and drink equating to €1.2 billion in 2014 so it is an extremely important part of the visitor experience. The importance of the place, as well as what is on the plate, is what distinguishes Ireland from other culinary destinations and we were delighted to be able to showcase both to a top American TV programme.”
As well as food, the visiting Americans also managed to enjoy other aspects of Irish life - enjoying a sheepdog demonstration at The Famine Cottage in Dingle; playing road bowling in Fenor, Co. Waterford; learning how to ride a motorcycle with precision from John Walsh at the Faugheen 50 race; visiting Strokestown House; playing hurling in Croke Park and ghostbusting in Enniscorthy Castle, Wexford before returning to Dublin to film the city pub scene.
Legg added -
"I've always heard great feedback about Ireland from travellers and now I get it. The landscape is as lush and green as imagined and the sights are plentiful, but what really makes the experience are the people. They are eager to learn something about you, share something about themselves, and have a laugh in the process. That human connection always makes for the most life affirming situations."
The Road Less Travelled’ is a travel show which seeks out the very heart of a place looking for moments that widen and deepen our perspective. Each episode is broadcast across a number of popular channels including National Geographic, TLC, History, Travel and Escape, Travel and Adventure and Outside Television.
Find out more about The Road Less Travelled here and view
samples of season three here.
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