Guests at the Tourism Ireland event experienced Ireland’s rich heritage, culture and cuisine. Irish and American eyes were smiling as cocktails were served along with a theater style presentation, reception and tasty gourmet Irish supper at the Wilshire Ballroom in the super swanky Beverly Hilton Hotel.
“As Consul General, I’m always happy to support any events involving Ireland and Ireland’s economy,” said M. Finbar Hill, the honorary Consul General of Ireland and Chief of Protocol of the Los Angeles Consular Corps. “Tourism is up 14% this year and is expected to go up 15% next year,” said Hill gleefully.
“A great place to stay especially for fans of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings is Gregan’s Castle, where J. R. R. Tolkien stayed,” said Michelle Maguire, head of Marketing for Ireland’s Blue Book Guide.
Tolkien was said to have been influenced by the Burren (the great rock karst landscape in County Clare, the mid-west region of Ireland) when writing The Lord of the Rings, as well as other renowned artists and writers like C.S. Lewis and Seamus Heaney. Listening to Maguire talk so eloquently about Gregan’s Castle made me long to visit this historic and regal landmark and see if the Burren could be my writing muse and inspire me to write a literary masterpiece!
Ireland is such a beautiful and lush green country that any visitor would be sure to get the luck of the Irish!
For more info, go to www.ireland.com, www.irelandsbluebook.com and http://www.gregans.ie/
