US actor Patrick Duffy aka Bobby Ewing of Dallas fame and his Happy Days star partner Linda Purl are visiting Ireland this week.
They are here to trace Duffy’s Irish roots and to film a pilot episode of a new TV series which will air in the United States in 2023.
The TV series, with the working title of Finding Ireland, will shine a spotlight on Ireland, from the rich culture to the spectacular scenery.
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It aims to encourage our important diaspora audience in the United States to begin planning their own vacation to Ireland, to find out about their Irish heritage.
Viewers will see Duffy, who was one of the most famous faces in the world during his time on soap opera Dallas, and his partner Purl, who played Fonzie's girlfriend Ashley in Happy Days, visit Dublin, Cork and Mayo.
They will film at various locations – including Kilmovee in Co Mayo, where Duffy’s ancestors hail from.
Filming for the series is supported by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Central Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted to support the filming of ‘Finding Ireland’ with Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl.
“It will be a really great way to showcase Ireland. Publicity and broadcasts like this are a key element of Tourism Ireland’s programme of activity, to encourage travellers everywhere to put the island of Ireland on their holiday wish-list.
“Our aim is to encourage the Diaspora in the United States to follow in Patrick and Linda’s footsteps and return to Ireland to trace their roots – and to showcase the wonder of a visit to Ireland to fellow Americans, whether they have Irish DNA in them or not.”
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