HUNDREDS of people descended on Tim Smyth Park (Ennis Fairgreen) on Sunday afternoon to participate in, or enjoy as spectators, the annual Christmas tree throwing competition. A break in the bad weather enabled the event to progress in a very enjoyable atmosphere, much to the relief of organisers, Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council.
The contest, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions and is commonplace across Germany and Austria, sees members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree.
Last year’s winner, John O’Dea from Limerick launched a Christmas tree 10.2 metres, just less than 2 metres short of the World Record held by Klaus Pubnaz who hurled a tree a distance of 12m in Germany three years ago.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.