Preparing for Christmas tree throwing

Members of the public are being invited to attempt to break a Guinness World Record as well as drop off their Christmas tree for recycling on Sunday, January 8 from 1pm, when the 6th annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park.

Organised by Clare County Council, in conjunction with Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities, the event is a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport, while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause with this year’s proceeds going to Rape Crisis Midwest.

The championship, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions, sees competitors tryinig to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree. There will be trophies for the longest throw in various age categories with a trophy for the overall champion. Every participant will also be entered into a draw to win one year family membership at Active Ennis Leisure Complex.

Limerick man John O’Dea last year reclaimed the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship title when he threw his tree a winning distance of 8.6 metres, an Irish record he first set in 2014.