Warm welcome for all Clares

The Clare Volunteer Centre is extending a warm welcome to Clare, Claire or Clair to participate in a record-breaking attempt this June as part of The Clare Gathering 2013.

 

The aim of the Welcoming Claire to Clare initiative is to gather the most people with the first or surname Clare, Claire or Clair in County Clare on June 23, as they attempt to break a world record.

Their campaign to reach out to people with this name across the country and the world took its first tentative steps this week with the help of a twice Irish dancing champion, a local stylist, Clare designers, a catchy tune and a film producer.

A short film aimed at calling on all Clares to the county is being produced by ­Martin O’Malley of Malbay Studios. It will feature Clare Daly, who will dance in various locations around the county, showcasing what it has to offer.

Clare outlined her reasons for getting involved. “I was approached by Sharon and Dolores from the Clare Volunteer Centre, who explained what they were trying to do in raising the profile of County Clare, as well as promoting the event on June 23. I was a bit nervous at first but they have gathered together a team who are giving me a huge amount of confidence that this film is going to catch people’s imaginations.

“Michael Donnellan has been fantastic at tailoring the dance steps to suit me and hopefully this will be a dance that anyone can join in with.”

Michael is teaching Clare how to dance, while she will be dressed from head to toe in outfits created by Clare ­fashion designers and styled by Tess Purcell of Style ‘n Mind.

“County Clare has much to offer in terms of tourist attractions, great food, music, sport but we also have some really talented designers who are very excited about getting involved in this project,” Tess explained.

Kaitlin McGrath, Anne Marsh McMahon, Michelle Courtney Ryan, Stephanie Gahan and Sinéad Madden are just some of the designers who will be dressing Clare as she moves around the county.

Filming will start in Shannon Airport and finish on the streets of Ennis and will include locations in Killaloe, Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher, Loop Head, Moyasta and Cusack Park.

Sharon Meaney, manager of the local volunteer centre, explained a bit about this unique initiative.

“The ultimate objective is to gather the most people with the first name or surname Clare, Claire or Clair in County Clare on June 23. You don’t have to be from County Clare, you may not have even heard of County Clare but you will share a name that is synonymous with being clear, bright and famous.

“The event will form part of a weekend of welcomes, which will feature a free music event on Friday, June 21 in Ennis as part of the Love:Live Music. Street entertainment will take place on Saturday, June 22 and a special edition Welcome to Clare card will offer special offers and discounts to various attractions countywide for the weekend.

“Volunteers will be on hand on the streets of Ennis that weekend to give out ­information and guidance to our visitors and we promise that the weekend will be filled with welcomes, which we hope will inspire people to return to County Clare,” she said.

Tracy Crawford of Bally O Promotions, director of the new Ennis Roots Music weekend who is co-ordinating the Love:Live Music concert, said they are glad to extend their event to welcome Clares to the county. “We are all committed to getting the message out there, that if you want to visit Ireland, there is no better place to come to than County Clare,” she said.

Anyone who wants to get involved or for further details contact Sharon or Dolores on 065 6866800 or visit www.volunteerclare.ie.