MILLIONS of people around the world will be reading all about Co Clare, Gaelic games and the art of hurley making – following the visit by travel writers from eight different countries.
Invited by Tourism Ireland, the group is made up of journalists from media outlets in Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, India, New Zealand and Britain. Their itinerary has been designed by Fáilte Ireland to showcase our special national games and give the visiting journalists a flavour of the fast-paced thrill of hurling and the skill of Gaelic games.
Their packed programme saw them visit places like Torpey Hurleys Workshop near Sixmilebridge to see John Torpey and his son, Seán demonstrate the art of hurley making followed by a tour of the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. They also enjoyed an introductory hurling session with members of the Go Gaelic team, as well as a walking tour of the Burren.
The grand finale of their visit was their attendance on Sunday at Croke Park to witness the spectacle of a live hurling game – a thrilling All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Tipperary.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of journalists to visit Co Clare and Ireland. Our sporting traditions have an important part to play in helping prospective visitors envisage and appreciate some of the unique aspects of a holiday here in Ireland. They were very impressed by our rich and unique sporting heritage, the wide variety of things to see and do, as well as by the hospitality and friendliness of the people they met”.
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.