Chris O'Dowd Tells Londoners To 'Escape The Madness' This Summer In Irish Tourism Ad

With the Olympics in town this summer, the eyes of the world will be watching the races in London. But there's one race that will only get slower and more painful, the rat race. This new ad claims that it could be quicker to get to Ireland than your desk this summer.

Discover Ireland is inviting Londoners to Escape The Madness of the capital during the Olympics. The ad, featuring Irish actor Chris O'Dowd, pits two Londoners against each other in an unusual race.

City Boy battles through the Big Smoke, aiming to get to work and drink a latte at his desk. Meanwhile, Yer Man takes a leisurely, no-hassle flight to Ireland, hoping to enjoy a relaxing pint of Guinness by the sea before City Boy sips his coffee.

An Irish voice over delivers a commentary full of craic, ridiculing City Boy's expensive, sweaty attempts to get to work, while Yer Man enjoys the sights of the Emerald Isle. Hollywood A-Lister Chris O'Dowd adds insult to injury as he keeps a frantic City Boy from entering the lift.

City Boy arrives at his desk, disheveled, sweaty and gloating. Unfortunately for him, Yer Man is already on to his second pint of "Guinnee Guinee Blum Blums". So forget about work this week, head to Ireland instead. 

Put together by Publicis London, the ad has earned nearly 126,000 views since it was launched six days ago. With over 6,500 shares, the ad looks set to become one of this week's most popular ads.

While the prospect of an easy trip to Ireland is tempting, we are worried about Yer Man putting away two pints of Guinness before 9am.