7M British TV viewers to see Mullingar in 'Three Men In A Boat' special

A massive audience of approximately seven million TV viewers around Britain will see images of Mullingar and Ireland in BBC's hugely popular Three Men in a Boat Christmas special later this week.Two hour-long programmes in the Three Men in a Boat series, shot here in Ireland earlier this year, will air on BBC 2 on Wednesday (30th December) and Friday (1st January). The anticipated viewership figures for each programme are seven million, with a further four million people expected to watch the repeats of each programme later in January.Tourism Ireland in London worked closely with Liberty Bell Productions to bring the fourth series of Three Men in a Boat to Ireland. Starring well-known Irish comedian Dara O'Briain, as well as Griff Rhys-Jones and Rory McGrath, the Christmas special of Three Men in a Boat will see the trio make their way across Ireland, from east to west, on board the last original Guinness barge. Taking in the sights and meeting various characters along the way, they jump between the Grand and Royal Canals, stopping off in Mullingar where they are more than a little surprised to be greeted by a huge street parade, complete with marching band and cheering children. Before leaving Mullingar, the Men enjoy a night at the dogs - where they watch Dara's greyhound, Snip Nua, take part in a race.Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: "The Three Men programmes provide us with a tremendous opportunity to showcase Mullingar and Ireland."