LIMERICK’S 2013 street ambassadors, who will provide a friendly first impression to tourists and advise them on the best places to visit, eat and shop, were officially introduced this week.
They include local artist and photographer Eithne deLoughry O’Byrne and history buff Declan Hassett, who are both looking forward to their sixth and seventh years as ambassadors for Limerick.
Dressed in Munster red, the roving tourist guides will also supply tourists with a weekly events guide on what’s happening in Limerick city and will keep an environmental watch, reporting litter offences, graffiti and infrastructural defects to Limerick City Council.
Since 2006, the street ambassadors have helped 92,000 visitors in Limerick.
Last year the tourist guides helped 8,000 tourists from over 50 different countries including Japan, India, South Korea and Argentina.
The street ambassadors have undergone an intensive course in local history, first aid, communications skills and basic foreign language training.
They will walk two different routes every day covering medieval Limerick and Limerick city centre.
Mayor Kathleen Leddin said: “The street ambassadors are friendly and welcoming and a great resource for the many visitors to our city. One of the main reasons our visitors return is the friendliness of the local people, which superbly complements the wonderful attractions we have.
“The street ambassadors play an important role in promoting the city and ensuring that our visitors enjoy their time here.”
Director of Services at Limerick City Council, Kieran Lehane said the street ambassadors play a vital role in promoting the city ahead of Limerick becoming the first Irish City of Culture next year.
“Limerick’s designation as the first Irish City of Culture 2014 is transforming Limerick into a cultural hub of activities that will attract people from both near and far and the street ambassadors play a vital role by engaging with tourists and local people to share their great knowledge of the city”, he said.
