Irish Thrones tourist drive carves out Euro success
Cabbie tells how he helped rescue young family from burning home
A GAME of Thrones-themed tourism campaign here has scooped more than 20 awards across Europe.
Tourism Ireland’s Doors Of Thrones has been recognised in ceremonies across the continent.
It featured 10 intricately carved doors depicting moments inspired by the hit HBO series to promote the North – where much of the show is filmed – around the world.
They were made from the trees blown down last winter during Storm Gertrude at the Dark Hedges in Co Antrim, which serves as the backdrop for the Kingsroad in the show.
The campaign was estimated to have reached 61 million people around the world.
And the drive’s short films have been viewed around 17 million times – generating coverage worth about €14million.
Tourism Ireland’s head of marketing communications Brian Twomey said: “Our aim was to reach out to the show’s global fanbase, spiking their curiosity about the landscapes and locations featured in the series and inspiring them to come and explore them for themselves.
“We are constantly looking at innovative and engaging ways of reaching potential holidaymakers for Northern Ireland.
“So we are particularly honoured to receive all of these awards.” A TAXI driver has been hailed a hero after saving a young family as their home went up in flames early yesterday morning.
Derek Malone was dropping off a fare in Swords, North Dublin, when his passenger noticed flames and smoke coming from the house.
The 40-year-old cabbie rushed to help the family but was unable to break through the front door which appeared to be locked from the inside.
He said: “The woman was inside with her daughter and I told them to go into the sitting room and lifted the daughter and mam through the window. The family were dazed but the neighbours were very good.”
The woman’s husband managed to leave the home without any help and thanks to Derek his family escaped without injury.
The taxi driver’s passenger called the fire brigade to report the blaze which broke out at around 4.30am.
Derek told how when he realised there was a fire in the home he did not hesitate to help the family. He added: “Your instinct does kick in. I think any human being would be the same.
“You just go for it. When there’s people involved you don’t care, just want to get them out. It was unreal.”
Derek said flames emerging from the house were very high and the smoke was heavy when he arrived on the scene.
And he revealed he was sitting at home watching a movie when the request for a job came through on Hailo.
He said: “If I didn’t get the job God knows what would have happened.”
Five units from Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene in response to the blaze.
There were two other fires in the capital early yesterday morning, including a blaze in a homeless shelter that saw two people rushed to hospital.
Three units of the Dublin Fire Brigade attended the incident at The Salvation Army building just off Aungier Street at around 4.10am.
And firefighters attended a domestic blaze which broke out at 3.30am on Olaf Road in Stoneybatter, North Dublin.