Tag Archives: Kilrush Marina

A FEAST of music, dance, painting, crafts and film is in store for young people across Clare and Limerick, with an event entitled, Scairt na hÓige, A Creative Youth Festival around the Shannon Estuary, taking place from August 27 to 30. The Clare element will see activities in Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush, organised by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) in association with Creative Ireland, and involving a range of creative partner organisations. “Creative Ireland are really brilliant in terms of encouraging young people to participate in the arts and in asking them what they want in terms of arts activities,” explained actor and former star of Fair City, Maeve McGrath, who is festival organiser. “This programme is a direct response to that. Creative Ireland supports participation in the arts and raises awareness of creative sectors and roles.” Kilrush will be the focal point of activities on Thursday and Friday, as the majestic tall ship, Ilen, docks …

Kilrush Marina is one of six new locations included in the marketing programme for the Cool Route project, which aims to grow numbers of private craft, super yachts and passenger liners visiting the coastlines of Ireland. Discussions led by the Harbour Master at the Port of Galway, Captain Brian Sheridan, led to the inclusion of an additional 150 nautical miles of Irish coastline, incorporating counties Clare, Galway and Mayo, into the bi-directional yacht cruising route. Cathaoirleach of Clare Councillor, Tom McNamara, said Clare will now be promoted to a growing marine visitor clientele as part of a wider Cool Route marketing programme. “This new sea route is being marketed internationally and will have a common branding, booking and information system. Clare’s coastal locations already have well-developed landside tourism infrastructure and, therefore, have plenty to offer marine visitors in terms of scenery and attractions,” he added. Brian McCarthy, acting director of economic development at Clare County Council, said the inclusion of …

Two sailors were rescued  after their yacht rang aground in darkness near the entrance to Kilrush Marina. Shortly after midnight, the Kilrush RNLI lifeboat was launched following reports that a 36ft yacht with two people on board had run aground on a falling tide near the entrance to the marina. The lifeboat reached the scene within minutes and the two sailors were taken on board the lifeboat and brought back to the RNLI base at Cappagh.

THE founder of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation (SDWF) has claimed West Clare tourism interests have failed to capitalise on the “unique resource” of the family of 140 dolphins that populate the Shannon Estuary. Dr Simon Berrow says this is despite a “20-year head-start”, while he is also fearful about the future of the dolphin monitoring centre in Kilrush, which has been operating for 22 years. The centre receives no funding, although it did in the past. “As a region, I think we’ve failed to make the most of what, to me, is a completely unique resource. Loop Head Tourism has done a fantastic job promoting Loop Head but the area doesn’t look any different to me from 20 years ago. The lighthouse is the lighthouse. It’s not unique. They are packaging it together in a lovely package but I still think the dolphins are our unique product. Nowhere else in Ireland has dolphins that are so accessible. Very …