Members of the public are being invited to break a unique Guinness World Record as well as drop off their Christmas tree for recycling next Sunday from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. when the 6th annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park.
Organised by Clare County Council in conjunction with Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities, the sixth annual event is a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport, while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause with this year’s proceeds going to Rape Crisis Midwest.
Based on age-old lumberjack traditions, the championship sees members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree. There will be trophies for the longest throw in various age categories with a trophy for the overall champion. Every participant will also be entered into a draw to win one year family membership at Active Ennis Leisure Complex.
Limerick man John O’Dea last year reclaimed the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship title when he threw his Christmas tree a winning distance of 8.6 metres, an Irish record he first set in 2014.
Tim Forde, General Manager, Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities described the Championship as “a sporting charity event with competitors from the four corners of Ireland and further afield being invited to take part. The event is open to men, women and children, and each contestant will be afforded three attempts at throwing the Christmas tree.”
“Disposing of the Christmas tree is often an arduous task for many so this event allows people to do so in style,” stated Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer for Clare County Council.
“Clare County Council will be providing a free Christmas tree recycling service at various locations throughout Clare, but we would welcome anyone who wishes to drop their tree at the contest and make a donation to Rape Crisis Midwest. We will also arrange for the tree to be mulched for use by the Local Authority’s gardening section,” stated Ms. Foley.
Meanwhile, householders are also being invited to recycle their real Christmas trees for free at one of five designated tree recycling centres around County Clare from January 3rd 2017 to January 21st 2017. The drop-off points include the Central Waste Management Facility (Ballyduff Beg, Inagh), Lisdeen Recycling Centre & Transfer Station (Kilkee), Scariff Recycling Centre & Transfer Station, Shannon Recycling Centre and the Gardening Section (Behind Cois na hAbhanna, Gort Rd, Ennis – drop-off point outside gate).