FREE RAIL TRAVEL LAUNCHED IN NORTHERN IRELAND FOR OVER 66s

Toronto, ON (July 13, 2010) -- Travelling on the island of Ireland has just gotten even easier and more affordable thanks to the extension of the Golden Trekker initiative into Northern Ireland. Launched July 1, Tourism Ireland is helping Canadians over the age of 66 travel by rail in Northern Ireland for FREE thanks to the Translink NI Railway’s Golden Trekker Smartcard scheme.

“Tourism Ireland is thrilled to help bring Canadian passengers into Northern Ireland where they can explore the many wonders of the region”, says Jayne Shackleford, Manager of Tourism Ireland in Canada. “This is just one more of the many reasons why 2010 is the perfect year to visit Ireland.”

To avail of the Northern Ireland rail pass, passengers must call the dedicated toll-free hotline and provide a Tourism Ireland agent with their first and last name, date of birth, passport number or National Identity Card number, number of warrants, Golden Trekker Pass commencement date, country of residence and email address. Passes must be booked a minimum of 48 hours before the traveller’s arrival in Ireland and travellers will receive a Golden Trekker confirmation number from their Tourism Ireland agent once the booking is processed.

Upon arrival in Ireland, passes can be picked up by presenting the Golden Trekker confirmation document and Passport/National Identity Card at the Translink NI Railway station specified when the pass was originally booked. Each pass is valid for seven consecutive days from first use with each traveller being allowed a maximum of two passes (for a total number of 14 days of travel per passenger; passes must be booked by September 30, 2010; all travel must be completed by October 21, 2010).

Travellers can call Tourism Ireland’s consumer hotline at 1 800 SHAMROCK (7426 7625) or email goldentrekker@tourismireland.com to book a pass for the republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.