Tag Archives: St Patrick’s Day

Representatives of Clare County Council, who are in New York for the St Patrick’s Day period, met with senior executives from Tourism Ireland this week. They were briefed on Tourism Ireland’s extensive promotional programme for 2015, which is in full swing right now. Tourism Ireland aims to build on the success of 2014, which was the best year ever for tourism from the United States, with visitor numbers increasing by +13% over 2013 – 134,000 additional American visitors during the year. Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe said, “Our ambition for 2015 is to grow visitor numbers from the US by a further +6% and we look forward to working closely with our valuable industry partners, in both the US and Ireland, to achieve that target. The outlook for 2015 is very positive, particularly given that the number of airline seats from the United States to Ireland is set to grow by +14% in the peak summer season months, making it that much …

As the country turned green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Clare Champion photographers were out and about in County Clare capturing all the festivities. Browse through the photo galleries below to see parades from around the county. KILRUSH [doptg id=”54″] ENNISTYMON [doptg id=”53″] LISCANNOR [doptg id=”52″] KILFENORA [doptg id=”51″] KILKEE [doptg id=”50″] ENNIS [doptg id=”55″] DOONBEG [doptg id=”58″] FANORE [doptg id=”57″] LISDOONVARNA [doptg id=”56″] TULLA [doptg id=”60″] SIXMILBRIDGE [doptg id=”63″] SHANNON [doptg id=”62″] SCARIFF [doptg id=”59″] KILLALOE [doptg id=”61″]  

Clare woman, Margaret Jeffares, founder of Good Food Ireland, has been invited by President Barack Obama to the White House for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Ms Jeffares, whose parents Tom and Teresa Frost live near Quin, will also be attending a number of high profile business networking events, as Good Food Ireland reaches out to the global Irish diaspora. “I am hugely honoured to have received the invitation from the President and will be flying the flag for Irish food and good local food places in Ireland at all these events” said Margaret Jeffares. “The US is a hugely important market for both Irish agriculture and tourism. By raising the perception of Ireland’s food we provide a new growth driver for tourism provided we direct those tourists to quality places that are actually using local Irish food” she said. On a personal note, Ms Jeffares said this invitation to the White House on St Patrick’s Day is a lifelong ambition. “I have …

Over the weekend and into St Patrick’s Day, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have cautioned all road users, but in particular drivers and pedestrians, to act responsibly and show restraint. “With many schools closed, many families will take the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country over the next few days. It is every road users responsility to ensure that the roads are safe for all,” Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau said. To date, 29 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish roads, five road deaths less than this date last year. 196 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2014. Newly released figures show that over the past five years, on average, twice as many drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving on both St Patrick’s Day and the day after, compared to any other day in the month of March. In addition, 15 people lost their lives and a further …

President Michael D. Higgins has extended good wishes for St Patrick’s Day to the people of Ireland and our global family and friends around the world. Today [St Patrick’s Day] is a day when we come together to celebrate and share our rich culture and heritage. It is also a day when we reflect on the life of St Patrick, our patron saint, a migrant who arrived on our shores some 1,600 years ago. His story was founded on hardship, destitution and great sorrow; but became a narrative of courage, vision and opportunity. It is a story that has been relived time and again by the many Irish people across the centuries who have left their native land to create new homes and communities in countries around the globe, and it is an experience we share with so many migrant populations all across the world, something we must never forget. This year also marks the anniversary of another of the early …

Áras Contae an Chláir and the O’Connell Monument in Ennis will be illuminated in green light in the days leading up to St Patrick’s Day. Clare County Council is also encouraging businesses and building owners, particularly of high profile well known buildings around the county, to support the initiative by turning their properties green for Ireland’s national holiday. Welcoming the decision to illuminate some of the town’s best-known landmarks, Mayor of Ennis, Johnny Flynn said, “Famous buildings and locations all over the world will be lit up as part of Tourism Ireland’s drive to grow overseas tourism to Ireland. I am delighted Ennis is participating in this initiative and in illuminating the O’Connell Monument and Áras Contae an Chláir. The Clare capital and the people of the county will also be able to showcase their national pride to the world.” Meanwhile, St Patrick’s Day 2015 in Ennis promises to be a major celebration, with large crowds expected on the streets. …

“THEY’RE not going home to shave their legs and they’re not making omelettes”, was the message of one councillor to Ennis business people as she urged that them not to sell eggs and shaving foam to youngsters during events such as St Patrick’s Day. Councillor Mary Howard at this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council called on the local authority in association with other agencies such as An Garda Siochana, traders, Ennis Chamber and schools to devise a “code of conduct”. She outlined that this should deal with identifiable perennial events, “particularly antisocial behaviour on certain days by young teenagers”, on days to include St Patrick’s Day, the last day of school and festivals. She stated that there is a problem with antisocial behaviour among young people in the town on certain days of the year. And she said that she was told on St Patrick’s Day from 12 and 13 year olds that it was “too scary” in town …

THERE were plenty of colourful and imaginative floats and displays in Gort’s St Patrick’s Day parade. A large crowd lined the footpaths  of the South Galway town to enjoy the parade and many side attractions, which continued for several hours.