Members of the public are being invited to break a unique Guinness World Record as well as drop off their Christmas tree for recycling this Sunday when the annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place in Ennis.
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.
Running from 1pm to 3pm, the Championship which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions 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.
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).