Connemara Safari to star in Master's Apprentice

Local businessmen Gerry McCloskey and Brian Hughes will star in the Master’s Apprentice on RTE One on 7th April as part of a six part series supported by Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority. Gerry and Brian worked with Dublin native, Terry Lambert who spent a week at the Connemara business learning the tricks of the walking tours and hospitality trade.

During the episode, Gerry and Brian constantly present Terry with challenges to see if he has what it takes to make it in their line of business.  Can Terry cater to the needs of a group of their customers, get everyone moved from Island to Island, entertain the walkers and the locals on Inis Turk, and lead up the entire walking tour for a day on Clare Island taking on the role of Gerry and imparting to the walkers the history of the Island? Tune in to RTE 1 on Tuesday 7th April at 7pm to find out.
 
Fiona Monaghan, General Manager of Fáilte Ireland West, believes the show will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase what is on offer in the region and hopes it will persuade the watching audience to take a break in Ireland this year.
 
“Research shows that more Irish people may well consider swapping their overseas trips with a holiday in Ireland this year. Fáilte Ireland has recently launched an aggressive marketing campaign to persuade Irish people to take a break at home in 2009. This programme, spotlighting the walking and outdoor activity opportunities to be found in the Connemara area, will allow Irish people to consider this area when planning their home holiday.”
 
Each programme in the Fáilte Ireland series recognises and celebrates the featured operator’s achievements in tourism and sees them impart their knowledge and expertise on to candidates interested in establishing similar businesses throughout Ireland.

From its base at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden, County Galway ‘Connemara Safari’ have been taking visitors island hopping and walking the remote islands of Connemara and the west of Ireland for 15 years. 
Terry Lambert from Dublin is looking to change his life and turn his passion for walking into a new career.  While Terry feels he has the drive to pursue a walking tours business making the change from IT consultant to tour operator is a big leap.
 
For further information please contact:
Louise Tolerton
PR Officer - 086 6086578/01 8847135

Note for editor

Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
 
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 320,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.
 
Further information on Master’s Apprentice:
The Master's Apprentice is a six-part series which each week introduces an established figure running a successful tourism or craft business to an individual seeking to establish their own business in the same sector and sets them both a challenge. The master must pass on the secrets of their success and the apprentice must seize the opportunity to learn and put their lessons into instant practice.

Over the course of one week the apprentice is mentored by their master and works alongside them in their business. They face a number of practical challenges set out for them by their master and designed to give them an insight into the realities of what it takes run a business and be successful.

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