Taoiseach launches East Clare projects

DESPITE the disquiet last week with motions of no confidence and a prospective vote of confidence tabled in the Dáil, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen was welcomed with “a vote of thanks” by Shannon Development CEO, Vincent Cunnane at an event in Scariff last Friday.
Although the newspapers carried headlines announcing Labour as the biggest party in the State and showed support for Cowen plummet to just 21%, the Taoiseach appeared unfazed on Friday. The nation’s political leader seemed unperturbed by the political unrest brewing back in Dublin, which has developed and taken many twists and turns over the past week, as he offered warm greetings, smiles and shared jokes with the people of East Clare during his visit.
Indeed, the low level of support for the Taoiseach was not evident in Scariff as Mr Cowen was rushed by people eager to shake his hand and he courteously obliged when locals asked for a snapshot with, as they saw it, Ireland’s top man – at least for now.
The Taoiseach was in the region to wish his long-serving party affiliate Colm Wiley all the best in his retirement and along the way lent his support to a number of local initiatives by officiating over their launches.
Mr Cowen first took to the town of Scariff, where he addressed a gathering in McNamara’s public house in the square, to launch a partnership tourism initiative between Shannon Development and East Clare Tourism.
He began by getting to grips with the technology involved in launching a tourism website under the EU CANTATA 2 programme and then announced a new discount card, which offers a 25% discount off entry fees to a range of County Clare and Shannon Region visitor attractions and activities.
Speaking at the event, the Taoiseach identified tourism as a vital asset to the Shannon and stressed that it is “hugely important that we do everything we can to nurture this valuable asset, especially in these difficult times”.
Mr Cowen launched the new CANTATA 2 website, www.cantata2.ie, which arises from a three-year EU programme, managed by Shannon Development, designed to assist the B&B sector by helping them develop innovative approaches to the regeneration of its business niche.
Three networks of independent B&Bs are involved in the counties concerned, with five of the B&Bs based in East Clare. The website highlights details of the participating B&Bs, local attractions, festivals and events and puts a strong emphasis on value for money holiday packages.
“As people familiar with this area will know, there’s no shortage of things to do in this beautiful part of Clare, whether it is coarse and game fishing, boating, golf, walking and sightseeing and, of course, this is a great place for traditional music and the locals know how to organise a good festival. But many potential visitors won’t be aware of all the attractions hereabouts and that’s what this website is about,” the Taoiseach commented.
He added that the CANTATA programme complements Government support for small industry in rural locations, stressing that the deadline for the scheme has been extended until May 2012 for budding entrepreneurs and investors to submit their applications.
Mr Cowen acknowledged the challenges facing the tourism industry and stated, “I know that this is a difficult time for the tourism industry and I hope that your experience of the programme, which runs until 2012, will prove beneficial to your business”.
The Taoiseach also formally launched the Shannon Region Discount Card. Speaking about the initiative, he said, “This is the first time that a card of this type has been developed. It is aimed at stimulating new tourism business, particularly from overseas markets, including North America, and responds to research carried out by Shannon Development in the US, showing that Ireland was perceived as an expensive destination.
“I would like to commend Shannon Development on bringing all of the key tourism players together for this initiative. There is a mouth-watering array of activities on offer. Top visitor attractions in the region are also featured, including the Brian Ború Heritage Centre in Killaloe, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Aillwee Caves and the Atlantic Edge visitor attraction at the Cliffs of Moher in Clare,” he continued.
The Taoiseach also commended local entrepreneur Padraig Giblin on the launch of a fishing school in the area, before moving on up the town to continue the ceremonial launches.
He was met on the street by the people of Scariff, many approaching to shake the hand of their country’s leader and even Max the dog was greeted with warm enthusiasm by Mr Cowen with a pat on the head.
At the opening of a new business in the town, the Taoiseach was quick to wish the owners well and in the midst of the gathering, shared a handshake and a brief “how are the family?” with Opposition party TD Joe Carey.
From there the Taoiseach took in Scariff Harbour, sharing a quick drop of tea with Waterways Ireland staff before posing for a number of photographs both on and off the water.
Mr Cowen formally launched the eighth annual Scariff Harbour Festival, which takes place from July 30 to August 1 and was told by chairman of the festival committee, Michael Rodgers of the significance of the festival in attracting thousands of visitors to Scariff over that weekend.
This year’s three-day open air festival will include musical highlights across all genres, among them are performer Mary Black; Dublin rock band Aslan; the traditional five-piece County Antrim band, Beoga; AC/DC tribute band and the legendary Tulla Céilí Band.
Literary writer and East Clare woman Edna O’Brien will engage in a unique one-to-one conversation with Declan Kiberd, Professor of Anglo Irish Literature at University College Dublin, while the Cross Border Young Angler’s Competition as always will be a feature of the weekend, with guided walks and free boats tours of the Scariff River and Lough Derg also continuing.
The Taoiseach was given a flavour of the type of boat tour available on Lough Derg when he was welcomed on board the Spirit of Lough Derg by Killaloe skipper, James Whelan.
From the harbour it was on to Ennis, where he was first grilled by local media and later met with party colleagues. This was followed by another trip to East Clare, where Mr Cowen attended a retirement party for former county councillor, Colm Wiley.
Speaking about Mr Wiley, the Taoiseach said, “I’ve known Colm Wiley for many years. He has served the people of East Clare well over the years and he will continue to serve the organisation well even in his retirement.”
Over 300 people attended the function for Mr Wiley and speakers included Mr Cowen, MEP Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Minister Tony Killeen, Deputy Dooley and Martin McMahon, chairman of the Comháirle Ceantir.
Senators and councillors from other counties were also present on the night. Mr Wiley expressed his gratitude to the Taoiseach and to the local people who supported him, first selecting him in 1979.
There were many faces he said he recognised from that first selection, among them those who helped him on the canvas, and he enjoyed regaling people with stories from the various canvases through the years.
Speaking about the night, Mr Wiley said, “There was a certain element of nostalgia about the night, it was nice and nice for the people also. It was an excellent function.”