Tag Archives: Clare tourism

DOZENS of submissions have now been made to Clare County Council on controversial plans for a serviced caravan/motorhome park at Kilkee Road, Doonbeg, writes Owen Ryan. By last Friday three county councillors – Gerry Flynn, Ian Lynch and Cillian Murphy – had made submissions on it, along with one from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Others to voice concern include Doonbeg National School’s board of management, Doonbeg Community Development and Doonbeg Residents Group. The submission made by TII said the proposal is not in compliance with its requirements. “The Authority has examined the above application and considers that it is at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads as outlined in the DoECLG Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012). “The proposed development by itself, or by the precedent which a grant of permission for it would set, would adversely affect the operation and safety of the national road network”. In his …

Clare hospitality industry reaps staycation dividend as Irish tourists spend more money, writes Owen Ryan WITH schools back and the evenings shortening, the peak 2021 tourist season has ended in Clare. While international visitors were absent again, the fact Irish people couldn’t easily travel meant that west and north Clare got a large number of ‘staycationers’ which allowed local businesses to enjoy a very busy summer. Kilkee-based county councillor Cillian Murphy said that the area has been very busy since reopening from lockdown. “It has been unusual in that there was a short run-in, then craziness and a short run out. In a normal year you’d start in April, it’d get busier incrementally, and then you have the mad summer before winding down in September and October. “This year there was no run in, the doors opened on July 26 and it was championship football! I know from being in business myself and talking to a lot of my friends …

A JUDGE has told two men involved in a boundary row that “life is too short for neighbours to be having disagreements”, writes Gordon Deegan. Despite head-butting his 71-year-old neighbour, Rory Murphy (46), of Clifden, Corofin, was cleared unanimously by the jury at Ennis Circuit Court of assault causing harm. Mr Murphy was acting in self defence, having been hit on the head with a hammer by John Fisher, also of Clifden, Corofin, on January 15, 2019. Judge Brian O’Callaghan added his hope that “some of the issues between you can be resolved”. At the end of the two-day trial, Judge O’Callaghan told Mr Murphy: “You came to court an innocent man and you leave this court today an innocent man.” In a voluntary interview with Gardai, Mr Murphy did admit head-butting Mr Fisher at the boundary site but stated that this was in self defence after Mr Fisher hit him with a hammer across the head. Mr Murphy of …

THE best of County Clare will be broadcast into millions of homes across the United States this autumn as part of a popular travel series. Peninsula Television will be filming at multiple locations throughout the county this week, from Tuesday to Thursday, June 22 to 24, as part of its ‘Ireland: County by County’ series, which has been viewed by millions of US viewers since its launch in 2020. The 30-minute programme will air on the Create/PBS television network and will be fronted by Irish television presenter Ciara Whelan, who is best known for hosting Virgin Media’s prime-time travel series, ‘The Holiday Show’. The production will concentrate on various cultural, sporting, social and heritage aspects of County Clare. Filming commences this Tuesday with a focus on Ennis and Clare’s international reputation as home to some of the best golf courses in Ireland. The production crew will depart to Shannon Airport to highlight this key asset of the county, before taking …

COUNTY Clare’s tourism sector will be showcased nationally this week when RTÉ’s Today show broadcasts live from Ennis. This Wednesday, May 26, Dáithí Ó Sé will broadcast part of RTÉ’s popular afternoon programme from Ennis. Dáithí will meet John McCarthy from Lahinch Surf Club, who’ll show him a few moves. Also featuring will be Harry Hughes from the Willie Clancy Summer School, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard, and John Burke and Aoibhin Garrihy from The Armada Hotel at Spanish Point. TV chef Mags Roche will be cooking up a storm at The Old Ground Hotel where Dáithí will also meet local food producers, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith from St Tola Goat Cheese and Patricia Farrell from Wilde Irish Chocolates. Dáithí be chatting to All Ireland champion hurler, Anthony Daly, and Clare camogie star, Orlaith Duggan, but he’ll also be putting his own hurling skills to the test. Dáithí will complete a hurling challenge with Clare senior hurler David McInerney …

BUSINESSES in Doolin have sought to distance themselves from a tourism website that caused anger with an ill-judged April Fools Facebook post on the topic of suicide. A co-operative of local businesses called Doolin Tourism has stated it has nothing to do with the Visit Doolin website which caused an outcry on social media that has grown over two days. The group also outlined how several attempts to have Facebook take the Visit Doolin site down have fallen on deaf ears. In a statement Doolin Tourism said it was the only official organisation that promotes Doolin as a destination and has no connection with the Visit Doolin page whatsoever. “Doolin Tourism is the only page that represents Doolin and its businesses and strongly condemns the words and actions of the imposter,” the statement read. “It has been a long, continuous battle for Doolin Tourism and our community to get the offending page and its other associated pages removed permanently, as …

TOURISM operators in East Clare have said they remain cautiously optimistic in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 lock-down, which has brought the sector to a standstill for now. The season would normally begin around Easter, and tourism providers are currently coping with a raft of cancelled tour bookings, as well as the shelving of key events and activities. Hope is being drawn, however, from the anticipated demand for ‘staycation’ breaks once the restrictions on movement are lifted, and from the development of key projects including the River Shannon Tourism Master Plan 2020-2030, which is currently in draft form and open for public submissions. “A good season in East Clare would be starting around Easter,” noted Arlene White, Chairperson of Tourism East Clare. “What we are now seeing instead is the cancellation of bookings for months ahead. It’s very tough for everyone, but we understand the need for the restrictions and we are hoping that 2020 won’t be a complete …

From Carrigaholt in the Loop Head pensinsula to Carron in the northern part of the county, the Clare coastline offers unrivalled and breath-taking views. All along the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest defined coastal touring route, the spectacular scenery embellishes the tourism offering from quaint eateries, to pretty seaside villages, sandy bays and cliff top walks. Put simply, the Wild Atlantic Way is inspiring, renewing, relaxing and invigorating and this week The Clare Champion, in collaboration with The Connacht Tribune, has published the first ‘Where West’ magazine, the ultimate guide to planning your holiday break along the west coast of Ireland. Business Development Manager with The Clare Champion, Leo O’Connor said Clare is renowned for its tourism offering and the development of the Wild Atlantic Way has added another important string to its bow. He said Where West is designed to showcase businesses and events throughout counties Clare and Galway encompassing all that is best along the Wild Atlantic …