This spring will see up to seven million viewers from Germany tune in to see two Irish-made films air on ZDF network. Zwischen Himmel und Hier (meaning ‘Between Heaven and Here’) and Mein ganzes halbes Leben (meaning ‘My Whole Half Life’) were shot on location in Ireland last summer. They are based on original ideas from well-known writer Cecelia Ahern and will debut on German television this weekend (on Sunday 9 February) and next month (on Sunday 2 March), as part of the ZDF network’s ‘Heart’ series.
On the back of this, Tourism Ireland plans to capitalise on this exposure, given the abundant footage of Ireland included in both films. The state body is aiming to attract German tourists with a specially-created page on its website, Ireland.com, designed to encourage prospective holidaymakers to come and explore some of the locations which feature in the films (including places like Howth, Temple Park and Marlay Park in Dublin; Glendalough and Kilruddery in Co Wicklow; Inistioge in Co Kilkenny; and Connemara).
Zoë Redmond, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Central Europe, said: “We know that film and television are recognised as strong influencers for prospective holidaymakers and Tourism Ireland regularly works with TV and film production companies, to facilitate the making of films and travel programmes around the island of Ireland. Films shot on location here, like the two Ceceilia Ahern films, can be really influential – showcasing our stunning landscape and helping to whet appetites among German travellers to come and visit the beautiful locations where the film was shot."
