Chris stops in Kerry for ‘Social Spin’

HE may be one of the most famous actors to ever emerge from this country, but last weekend Chris O’Dowd was tackling one of his most important roles to date – that of an ambassador for a new local community initiative called ‘Social Spin’.

Beloved for his role as Roy in Graham Linehan’s ‘IT Crowd’, he starred alongside Terry Crews and Kristen Wiig in the 2011 smash-hit Bridesmaids before going on to show off his own hometown of Boyle in Roscommon when he created the show ‘Moone Boy’, which ran for three seasons.

Chris was first spotted by eagle-viewed viewers on a flight to Kerry from Dublin, and last week his reason for visiting the Kingdom was revealed when Guinness released a promo video on YouTube starring the actor.

In the video, the 40-yearold is seen chatting with Sean O’Mahony, the owner of the Faha Court Pub, before he gets behind the wheel to offer pub-goers a lift as part their new ‘Social Spin’ campaign.

The campaign is one which aims to provide a safe and sociable option to get to and from the pub.

The origins of the campaign lie in the steady decline in the number of people coming through publicans’ doors, including in Causeway and Faha.

Hoping to come up with a plan, publicans came together to address isolation in the community by creating a unique transport solution involving the whole community.

“Socialising is the fabric that knits our community in Faha together, and fewer people meeting up in a social setting began to impact the atmosphere in the area,” said Sean O’Mahony.

“We knew something had to be done, so we bought a community car, set up a dedicated mobile number and asked people to volunteer to drive their friends and neighbours to and from the pub.”

Every day from 5pm to closing time, over 70 volunteer drivers throughout Causeway and Faha have signed up to get behind the wheel, opting to drive to the pub and back home.

Anyone over 25 years of age and licensed to drive can sign up and volunteer to drive the Social Spin car.

Speaking about Social Spin, Chris O’Dowd said:

“Having grown up in Boyle, a rural area in Roscommon, I understand the significance of the local pub in bringing people together in a community – it’s a social hub, somewhere to catch up and share stories.

“Socialising is part of our DNA and I think Social Spin is a brilliant and simple way of nurturing and celebrating this sociability, which is such an important part of our culture”.

Pub-goers can either call or text the dedicated ‘Social Spin’ number when they want to head down to the pub to meet people.

There is no charge for the use of the service, but users have the opportunity, if they so wish, to give a maximum voluntary contribution of €5 on any given evening.

Mr O’Mahony added that: “Since introducing ‘Social Spin’ the atmosphere in the area has changed for the better.

“On average we drive between 80 and 100 people to and from the pub on a weekly basis and, as a result, it has contributed to a renewed sense of community spirit.

“We are thrilled with how it is being received,” Mr O’Mahony added.

IT Crowd fans Isobel and Karina Stack, Killarney, who happened to meet Chris O’Dowd at Kerry Airport as he arrived to the Kingdom to film the promo for the Vintners’ Social Spin initiative.

Hollywood actor Chris O’Dowd took time out of his busy schedule at the weekend to help bring Kerry pub-goers home safely as part of the new ‘Social Spin’ community initiative.

Actor Chris O’Dowd pictured with Sean O’Mahony, owner and publican at the Faha Court Pub during Chris’ visit to Kerry at the weekend.