Oscar nominated director joins lineup of Kilkenny's new Tourism Ambassadors
The next phase of Kilkenny’s #More to Explore campaign launches today, with the appointment of new tourism ambassadors for the county.
Five new high profile ambassadors from the world of movies, TV, food and social media are set to showcase some of Kilkenny’s best adventure and outdoor holiday experiences for visitors this Summer 2021.
Among the line-up includes Oscar nominated director Tomm Moore from Kilkenny based animation company Cartoon Saloon; celebrity chef Edward Hayden; blogger and influencer Sinéad De Butléìr; former Miss Ireland and influencer Holly Carpenter; and Niamh de Brún.
All the ambassadors have diverse backgrounds, but a deep-rooted history with Kilkenny. Over the next four weeks, each will promote their favourite places to visit from around the county from tourist attractions, towns to heritage sites and family walking trails. The aim is to highlight the very best the county has to offer in a nostalgic #MoretoExplore promotional campaign to encourage visitors to Kilkenny this Summer.
Commenting on what makes Kilkenny so special for them and their favourite places to visit, our Ambassadors look back to childhood memories and recent visits to Kilkenny and recount why the county means so much to them:
Tomm Moore
“I was something of an outsider growing up - my family had moved to Kilkenny from the North of Ireland in the early 80’s and as a comic-obsessed "oddball" in a hurling-mad school - St Kieran's - I was bound to stand out. Young Irish Filmmakers was thankfully here in Kilkenny and that became the focal point of my teenage artistic life alongside my passion for comics and art.
"One of my favourite places to visit as a young boy and even today, is Kilfane Glen and Waterfall. This place is a hidden treasure and a tranquil escape filled with natural light and beauty with the magnificent sound of never ending water flowing. I’m proud to say it was the inspiration for many locations in Wolfwalkers.
"It’s a great privilege to be asked to be a brand ambassador for Kilkenny Tourism, the place, the people and it’s culture are at the very heart of everything that is great about our county.”
Niamh de Brún
“Kilkenny has several scenic walks throughout the county each with their own character. The Canal walk holds very special memories for me as it is the first place I walked after re-locating to Kilkenny. It is a relatively short walk, approximately 1.7km so can be done quickly and ideal for small children as well. Along the route, which runs along a wall below Kilkenny Castle, you will enjoy scenic views and appreciate nature. I never tire of visiting the Castle and see something new on every visit”.
Sinéad De Butléìr
"One of my favourite places to go to is Woodstock in the beautiful Inistioge, this brings back really fond memories as we used to visit regularly as a child, as well as this Inistioge has the most beautiful picturesque scenery with beautiful cafes and traditional Irish pubs which totally add to the character of the town. It was the first place I brought my partner to when he came to Kilkenny on his first visit too"
Holly Carpenter
Edward Hayden
Chairperson of Kilkenny Tourism, Ciaran Conroy said; “As we get set to re-open hospitality and tourism to visitors, Kilkenny Tourism felt it was important that we identified people who have a connection and passion for the county to help us promote it to visitors. We wanted each ambassador to take a ‘look-back’ at a past visit to Kilkenny and share it with people. Each of our ambassadors reflect the great vibrancy, warmth and variety that Kilkenny has to offer and we look forward to working with them.
He added: “Over the next few weeks videos from each ambassador will be revealed, each outlining their favourite place in Kilkenny and childhood memories of locations visited in the county. The Ambassadors will also promote the county through their own media channels and we hope visitors can identify with many of the places as plan their staycation with us.”