Tag Archives: doolin

Thousands of people in Germany and elsewhere around the world are set to read all about Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way, following the recent visit of two well-known German travel bloggers. Martin Merten and Carolin Steig, whose blog is called We Travel The World, were here as guests of Tourism Ireland. Martin and Carolin travel the world, showcasing their real-time journeys and broadcasting their stories and experiences through their writing, photos, video and engaging social media. They were here to experience Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way by campervan, so they could inspire their readers and followers to come and discover Ireland for themselves. During their time here, the bloggers visited the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin. Zoë Redmond, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Central Europe, said, “Martin and Caolin’s blog is very popular, so their visit was a fantastic opportunity to create a major impression on their followers, as they explored the Wild Atlantic Way and shared their experiences. They have …

American business tourism company representatives have been taking part in a fact-finding visit of Clare and Ireland, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Dublin-based destination management company, Event Partners. The group includes senior representatives of companies involved in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) industry, who are responsible for organising large-scale events all over the world, They are here to discover more about the world-class facilities and accommodation on offer in Clare and Ireland, as well as the great experiences business delegates can on the sidelines of their conference or meeting. The group’s itinerary included a cruise from Doolin Pier to the Cliffs of Moher, an overnight stay at Dromoland Castle and a cruise in Killaloe. Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s head of North America, said, “We are delighted that so many of these American business tourism buyers have taken the time to visit Clare and Ireland, to experience for themselves some of the superb facilities on offer …

Funding has been approved for a coastal erosion and flood risk management study along a 1.5km stretch of coastline in Doolin. Informed of the funding by Minister of State, Simon Harris, Senator Tony Mulcahy said that the study will cover the length of coastline shown from Crab Island, located south of Doolin Point, to the mouth of the River Aille. “Doolin was badly affected by the succession of storms that battered the county during the period from late December 2013 to February 2014. The carpark area and access road to the pier were particularly badly affected. In light of the shortly to be completed €6m pier at Doolin, it is imperative that steps be now taken to minimise the risk of flood damage in the future. “This funding announcement is particularly welcome considering it follows on foot of an announcement by Government last week of a similar coastal erosion and flood risk study for the section of coast from Quilty …

A COMBINATION of good weather, the Wild Atlantic Way and a public holiday saw huge numbers of people flock to the Clare coast at the weekend. Tourism providers across the county are reporting one of the busiest Easter weekends in recent years. One prominent hotelier said it was “more like August than April”, which meant that seasonal staff could be hired over a month earlier than usual. Attractions across the county also recorded high visitor numbers, with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Bunratty Folk Park and Craggaunowen all recording increases this year compared to last. “It was a super weekend,” John Burke from the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point and Hotel Doolin stated. “We had a surge in customer numbers. People just want to flock to the coast to cool down and it was great to see it pick up so early in the season. It has allowed us to recruit earlier in the year. Normally, seasonal staff wouldn’t …

A decision on whether or not a discount supermarket can be built on the site of Ennistymon Mart is due to be made before St Patrick’s Day. Clare County Council received an application in the past week from John Spain Associates, on behalf of Aldi Stores, for a proposed shop with 82 car-parking spaces on the mart site at Church Hill and Circular Road. The site has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with local farmers fighting to keep the mart open. In December 2014, officers of the Ennistymon branch of Irish Farmers’ Association, in an unprecedented move in the county, resigned their positions. They took the decision to give up their roles in protest over the sale of the mart to Aldi and what they saw as a lack of support from Clare IFA on the matter. The branch committee members took the united action “to highlight our frustration with the IFA on their approach to the …

A North Clare man was named Furniture Maker of the Year, after graduating from GMIT Letterfrack with a BSc in Furniture and Wood Technology. Caoimhín Conneely was inspired to pursue a career in woodwork by his teacher, Hughie Kivlehan, at Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna. Hughie passed away suddenly in October but Caoimhín fondly remembers the years of encouragement he received from his mentor, long after he left his classroom. “I didn’t do woodwork when I started first year. I was in second year when I decided I wanted to change to woodwork but Hughie told me I had to prove myself. He made me do a portfolio and project to prove to him that I wanted it and was willing to work before he would let me get into his class,” the Doolin man said. He acknowledged too the support he received from his family. “I begged Hughie to allow me into his class. He asked me what I was …

Online national and county maps that identify the homes, businesses and schools where commercial providers will deliver high-speed broadband access by the end of 2016, have been published today (Monday). At the launch in Doolin, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White said that the State would invest in all the remaining areas to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high-speed broadband, regardless of where it is located. The maps, which allow the public to identify their own premises to see whether their high-speed broadband will be provided by a commercial operator or through State intervention, can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The website also carries county-by-county statistics on planned broadband coverage. Minister White said, “The delivery of high quality broadband is about ensuring that our citizens in rural Ireland have the same life chances, and the same access to information, culture, ideas, social interaction and opportunity that people in urban areas can enjoy.” …

Fine Gael Senator, Tony Mulcahy has said an announcement next week regarding the future roll-out of broadband in Clare will give clarity to rural communities still without access to an affordable high speed internet service. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White will be Doolin on Monday to launch the next phase of the National Broadband Plan. This will include the launch of a map that will show in detail the locations across Ireland that will have access to high-quality broadband by the end of 2016, and the remaining locations, which will require state intervention to provide access to high speed broadband. Senator Mulcahy said the absence of high speed broadband has been a “significant problem” for many rural areas of Clare, and is “hampering job creation”. Senator Mulcahy commented, “Since the announcement of the National Broadband Plan in 2012, the number of companies, such as Eircom, UPC and Sky, offering high speed internet access has increased significantly. …