German and Swiss journalists on the trail of St Patrick in Northern Ireland

Hundreds of thousands of Germans and Swiss to read all about Northern Ireland’s heritage and culture

A group of German and Swiss travel journalists has been exploring Northern Ireland, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI. As well as learning more about our patron saint, St Patrick, their visit was also an opportunity to showcase the variety of cultural and heritage experiences on offer and inspire German and Swiss readers to come and follow in their footsteps.

The five journalists – whose print and online publications have a combined reach of hundreds of thousands of people – enjoyed a walking tour of Armagh city, followed by a visit to the city’s two cathedrals. Their itinerary also included a visit to Navan Centre & Fort, an e-bike tour of Saint Patrick's Way with Bike Mourne and a guided walk along Saint Patrick's Camino in Newcastle – taking in Tollymore Forest Park. They also visited The Saint Patrick Centre and Saul Church, in Downpatrick.  

Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Germany, said: “We were delighted to invite this group of German and Swiss travel journalists to Northern Ireland to showcase the variety of cultural experiences on offer, from walking tours to e-bike adventures. 

“Fact-finding visits like this are a really effective way for us to get positive exposure for Northern Ireland through the media in Germany and Switzerland. The articles these travel journalists will produce will be read by hundreds of thousands of potential holidaymakers – inspiring them to put Northern Ireland on their holiday ‘wish-list’.”

Dr Tim Campbell (front, left) welcomes German and Swiss travel journalists to the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick; also pictured are Katja Meinken Wiedemann, Tourism Ireland (centre, right); and Fiona Liversidge, Tourism NI (centre, left).