'Happy Days' for Moyle tourism?

The festival attracts 150,000 visitors per day making it one of the biggest Irish festivals in the world.

Milkwaukee was the setting for the cult 1970s show ‘Happy Days’ featuring the legendary ‘Fonz’ and it could be a case of ‘Happy Days’ for Moyle if tourists start coming our way as a result of the promotion work.

A Moyle Council report said; ‘Council received an invitation from Causeway Coast and Glens for an officer to attend the Milwaukee Irish Fest in Wisconsin, US. The Tourism Officer (Kerrie McGonigle) attended along with the Tourism Officer from Ballymena Borough Council.

‘The Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism stand was located within an Irish Destinations section and included representation from Newry and Mourne, Banbridge, Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau, Hotel Federations of Ireland, Clare County Council, Down District and Tourism Ireland.

‘Overall this was a very busy festival, 150,000 per day, the biggest Irish festival in the world, with very positive comments about Northern Ireland, and there was a genuine interest in the North Coast. The Giant’s Causeway was definitely the hook that made an impression on the public and drew them to the Causeway Coast and Glens stand.

‘The main areas of interest shown were cycling, walking, cruising holidays and self-catering. Genealogy proved very popular also. Many visitors to the stand had already planned their visit to Northern Ireland next year or had just returned from a trip,’ said the report.