Dublin is ‘write on’ for top Chinese author

MILLIONS of potential tourists are set to read all about Dublin following a recent visit to the capital by famous Chinese author, Chen Danyan.

Known in her native country as Madame Chen, the Asian writer has over 950,000 followers on China’s answer to Twitter, Sina Weibo, and was invited to Ireland by Tourism Ireland in Beijing.

Madame Chen was in Dublin to research the second edition of her top-selling book, Swimming Over the Deepest Ocean, which chronicles her experiences travelling around Ireland.

The first edition of the book has already sold over 15,000 print copies and 162,000 e-books and the second edition, which will include new chapters about the life of James Joyce, will be published in 2014.

Madame Chen’s recent visit coincided with this year’s Bloomsday celebrations, giving her a fantastic opportunity to experience Dublin’s rich culture and heritage, as well as some of the many things to see and do here for Chinese visitors.

During her time in Ireland, Madame Chen was accompanied by Joycean scholar Conor Farnan and she visited numerous famous landmarks associated with Joyce, including Belvedere College, Eccles Street, the former Ormond Hotel and Sweeney’s Chemist.

She also visited the James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove, where she interviewed curator Robert Nicholson. Then it was on to the James Joyce House of the Dead at Usher’s Island, where she enjoyed a guided tour and took in a special Bloomsday performance of The Dead.

Susan Li, Tourism Ireland China, said:

“Visits such as this are extremely important, helping to deliver extensive coverage for Ireland through the media in China.

“They are a fantastic way of highlighting the island of Ireland, bringing the destination to the attention of a huge number of potential Chinese holidaymakers.

“Tourism Ireland is very active right now in markets like China, working to raise the profile of Ireland as a premier holiday and business tourism destination. Press visits like this are an invaluable part of that promotional effort.

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Tourism Ireland’s busy programme of activity to grow tourism from China involves co-operative campaigns with airlines and influential tour operators to ensure Ireland features prominently in itineraries and travel brochures.

The national body also organises familiarisation visits for Chinese travel agents and tour operators and works closely with travel and lifestyle journalists, to ensure the Ireland features extensively in the media in China.