Another Irish adventure for couple behind video sensation

Fiona Ellis

– 13 August 2013

THE Canadian couple whose honeymoon video shot in Ireland became an internet sensation are set to visit again, courtesy of Tourism Ireland.

‘;
document.write(s);
return;
}

window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null;

google_ad_client = “ca-pub-9024837700129787”;
google_ad_output = “js”;
google_ad_type = “text”;

google_ad_channel = ‘9868211012,3764294476’;

google_max_num_ads = ‘2’;

google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */

Stephen and Shannon Parker recorded more than 16 hours of footage in Ireland during their three-week trip in May.

The pair edited the video to create “A Fortnight Plus Half – An Ireland Adventure” that quickly went viral online and has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times since being shared on social media site Reddit.

The couple have now been invited by Tourism Ireland and Air Canada rouge to return to Ireland to continue their adventure in 2014, or at a time that suits them.

The video, which is almost 20 minutes long, documents the pair’s 2,653km journey around the island, taking in Dublin and Belfast as well as counties Antrim, Derry, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Tipperary and Wicklow.

It features footage of architecture, coastline, waterfalls, mountains and traditional music sessions.

It also incorporates footage of the food they ate and features the challenges of navigating in a foreign country and driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said the video showcased the best of the country. “Their video is a superb showcase of the island of Ireland from the dramatic beauty of places like the Giant’s Causeway and Connemara National Park, to the rich history of our heritage properties like Dunluce Castle and Dunguaire Castle, which also manages to convey the friendliness and the warm welcome people receive when they come here,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic compilation of some of the very best things to do on holiday in Ireland, which will surely inspire other travellers around the world to come and experience the destination.”

The couple are both from Toronto, but their families have connections to Ireland. Shannon’s family come from Limavady in Northern Ireland, while Stephen’s hail from Dublin.

Tourism Ireland will help Stephen trace more of his roots here, in advance of the couple’s next visit.

Irish Independent