“I worked with the city council for 21 years and when I finished up I saw an ad for the job and decided to apply. I knew all the streets. I try to help out the newer ambassadors with that too. It has been a pleasure to do this because the city has given me so much. I wanted to give something back to Limerick. I'm originally from Cork but this city has been very good to me,” he said.

“We walk around in twos, along several set routes. We get some training, including language training, before we start. We meet all nationalities and it's great to be able to help. I think if I was abroad, I'd like it. I met some Mongolian tourists for the first time last week and we gave them maps and other information. We get a new event guide every week and other information,” he explained.

“We come across a lot of Americans and they love coming here. Some have been saving for years to visit and they're just so proud to be of Irish descent. They hear so much about Irish hospitality, they love to experience it. I hope we never lose that welcoming spirit.”

He added that “a lot of people come to Limerick specifically to see the Hunt Museum or St Mary's Cathedral or King John's Castle”.

“There is so much to see. The Georgian House and the city gallery in Pery Square are also very popular. We don't realise how beautiful the city and county is. Down by the Curragower, there is a view of the bridge and the River Shannon with the hills off in the distance. If someone from Limerick was looking at it elsewhere, they'd be raving about it. I haven't heard one complaint from a visitor.”

Albert said that he believes “tourism is extremely important to the economy”.

“Tourism is what kept us afloat in the recession in the eighties. The region has so much potential. We should market boating and fishing more too, particularly course fishing. People from the UK go mad for that and it's an all year round activity. I think there should be ambassadors in other places like Shannon Airport, for example. The programme is very well run by Limerick Co-Ordination Office and it's a tremendous success.”

Albert lived in Singland when he first came to Limerick and later moved to nearby Woodlawn Park.

“I wouldn't live anywhere else in the city. I've been living in that area since 1966. I love it and we have great neighbours there. Limerick people are quite like Cork people. They love sport. I worked in McMahon's Sawmill years ago and I met Ter Casey, who introduced me to rugby. I played with St Patrick's GAA Club in Rhebogue and Claughan GAA Club is great as well,” he said.

He is also well known for playing drums and guitar in various local bands.

The other 11 ambassadors include: Oliver Hayes, Darragh Lyons, Jennifer O'Brien, Suzanne O'Brien, Edel Ryan, Jean Ryan, Kieran Sparling, Declan Hassett, Magda Sodul, Cathal O'Connor and Eithne Deloughry O'Byrne.

Last year the roving tourist guides-dressed in distinctive Munster red-helped 15,000 tourists.

“I really enjoy working as a street ambassador and I would love to continue. We've had new people join the team every year and they are all so enthusiastic. There's a mix of people, from college age to retirement age. Limerick is like a country town, everybody knows everybody else. I hope it never loses that identity. I'm delighted to give advice to tourists and provide a warm welcome to Limerick.”

Name: Albert Cullen.

Occupation: Street ambassador.

Location: All over the city.

Favorite thing about Limerick: The sport.

Worst thing about Limerick: Can't think of anything.

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