9 September 1998

MAYO Tourism officer Brian Quinn has written to British Prime Minister Tony Blair thanking him for his 'Mayo is magic' remark when he visited Ashford castle, Cong recently.

Mr. Quinn extended an invitation to Mr. Blair to make a return visit to the county in the future.

"Mr. Blair's endorsement, coupled with Luzveminda O'Sullivan's recent success in the Rose of Tralee contest constitutes two major marketing opportunities for tourism in Mayo", said Brian Flynn, Ireland West Regional Tourism manager.

"Both events are wholeheartedly welcomed by us and it is regretted that some criticism has turned up in the media regarding the response to the latter event,"

The tourism authority would like to point out, he said, that although Mr. Blair's endorsement comes at the end of the season, plans have already been made for incorporating them in promotional material for the 1999 season.

"Mr. Blair's words have already received priceless media coverage worldwide for Co. Mayo and we intend to build on these foundations. Mr. Blair has also been personally thanked for his public endorsement", Mr. Flynn added.

Luzveminda O'Sullivan, he said, has now been catapulted, quite literally, into being an ambassador for Mayo.

"Everywhere she travels, her native county will be discussed and focussed on. Her comments will reach millions - TV viewers, radio listeners, magazine and newspaper readers alike.

"Mayo and Castlebar will be introduced to new and varied audiences. To some of these people, the message they have already received through publicity material will be reinforced, to others this will be their first introduction to Mayo."

Mr. Flynn continued: "The promoting of Mayo on both national and international platforms is continuing and expanding.

"New markers ate constantly being explored and developed through a wide range of mediums including the newest and perhaps most powerful marketing tool of all - the Internet (

"Ireland West has secured a high level of both EU and agri-tourism funding for Mayo. This goes towards both developing and marketing projects.

"Mayo is recognised as a trail blazer in the tourism sector. Many of the successful and innovative initiatives undertaken in Mayo, including the formation of a county tourism promotional company, have been imitated by other counties in Ireland".

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - September 1998