NEWLY-APPOINTED TRANSPORT and Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe had his first obligatory embarrassing photo op today, donning a cowboy hat and sitting on a hay bale draped in an American flag.

It was all in aid of a new initiative to attract 400,000 Garth Brooks fans to the capital, despite the cancellation of the five concerts at the end of July.

The “Dublin Goes Country” campaign was launched today as a collaboration between the Department of Transport and Tourism, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

To get into the swing of things, Donohoe was joined on the streets of Dublin by Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring.

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The Dublin Central TD, whose first day in office was Monday, appears to have drawn the short straw right out of the hay bale he is perched on, looking distinctly uncomfortable while brandishing an unplayed guitar and wearing a cowboy hat for good measure.

Speaking earlier today, the 39-year-old Fine Gael rising star had this to say:

Garth may not be coming but Dublin is still here and there’s a lot happening in Dublin that week.The tourism industry is working hard to ensure Garth Brooks fans will still have a reason to come.

The “Dublin Goes Country” campaign will last from 25-27 July, and is set to include a number of specially-commissioned  country and western-themed events, such as:

• Whelan’s Bluegrass, Country & Roots Festival. 25-27 July
• “In Lonesome Dame” – live outdoor music in the Dame Street district. 26 July
• An ‘OK Corral’ busking trail – from the Grafton Quarter to Wolfe Tone Square. 26 July
• “Stetson and the City” – a one-day music trail.  25 July.

Read: Peter Aiken is seeking legal advice over the cancelled Garth Books gigs>

Dublin pub declares itself a ‘Garth Brooks free zone’>