Native Dubliners are rolling out the red carpet for visitors to the Irish capital with City of a Thousand Welcomes, a new civic initiative that pairs Dublin hosts with city visitors, reports Routard.
"Over three million people visit Dublin each year," explained project director Trevor White in a release, "And the reason why many of them come here is to meet friendly locals. City of a Thousand Welcomes brings visitors and Dubliners together in a fun, structured, safe way, at no cost to either party."
To sign up for the free service, prospective visitors need only visit the program’s website and complete a short questionnaire. They are then paired with a Dublin Ambassador and the two can arrange to meet over a free drink at one of the three supporting partners: The Merrion Hotel, Bewley’s Café or the Porterhouse.
Over 2,500 volunteers have signed up as ambassadors so far, including actress Victoria Smurfit, journalist David McWilliams, painter and sculptor Graham Knuttel, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and Presidential candidate Senator David Norris.