The Smyth family from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, visited with the Sanders family who live near Armagh in the Clare Valley.

They were followed by film crew from Belfast-based company Radar Television as they mustered cattle, sheared sheep and involved themselves in the rural Mid North community.

Activities had been coordinated through collaboration between the television company and Christine Van Der Jeugd from Clare Valley Tourism Marketing .

“Everyone was so helpful and cooperative, it made their visit a delight,” Ms Van Der Jeugd said.

The Irish visitors spent time at Nyowee with Barry Michael and his sons, learnt to shear a sheep with Daryl Andriske and his mates, met with local historian Helen Perry, winemaker Peter Barry and picked grapes at Wendouree.

They managed to fit in a family barbecue, lunch at Skillogalee and a visit to Sevenhill Cellars and monastery as well as participate in a scratch footy game with South Clare.

“We are very honoured and privileged to be the Irish family chosen to come here – we have packed more into a week than most families would have seen in a month,” Thomas Smyth said.

The Smyth’s said they thought the Clare Valley was very community focussed, very much like their own home district.

“I can see why the early Irish immigrants came out here and why they never came back home.”

The Sanders family will now travel to Ireland to be hosted by the Smyths to become part of Irish television history.