More than 200 events and festivals are featured in a comprehensive new guide to all tourism related activity taking place in County Clare during 2019.
Councillor Michael Begley, Mayor of Clare, this week joined representatives of Clare County Council and Clare Tourism for the launch of the Clare Festivals and Events Guide which is being made available at visitor attractions, accommodation providers, tourist offices, libraries and Council Area Offices throughout Clare. Thousands of copies of the guide are also being distributed to Tourist Offices across the region, as well as to various locations throughout the world.
Some of the event and festival highlights during the coming weeks include the Doolin Writers’ Weekend (25-27 January), 7th Annual Concertina Cruinniú (15-17 February), Irish Old-Time Appalachian Music Gathering (22-24 February), Bunratty International Chess Festival (22-24 February), Irish Old Time Appalachian Music Gathering (22-24 February) and the Corofin Traditional Festival (27 February-3 March). Other highlights for the remainder of 2019 include the Clare Garden Festival (28 April), Burren Slow Food Festival (10-12 May), Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (3-7 July), Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy (6-14 July), Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan Inis (14-22 July) and the Heritage Garden & Orchard Tour (20 August).
Speaking at the launch, Cllr. Michael Begley, Mayor of Clare, said the new guide will inform the people of Clare of the wide variety of festivals and events taking place in the county during 2019.
Councillor Pat Hayes, Chairperson of Clare County Council’s Rural Development SPC, commented, “I want to acknowledge the many community groups, businesses and individuals for their work in organising events, which will serve to attract additional visitors to Clare as well as inject new life into towns and villages in every corner of the County.”
In late 2018, festival and event organisers across Clare were invited to submit their planned events for inclusion in the guide.
“We received a huge response which is testament to the strong level of tourism activity underway in the county,” explained Joan Tarmey, Tourism Officer for Clare County Council. “I would invite anyone organising events or festivals that appeal to visitors, both domestic and international, to tell us about them well in advance so that we can help to promote them on www.VisitClare.ie and through social media. All information, along with relevant high resolution photographs, may be submitted to tourism@clarecoco.ie.”
As St. Patrick’s Day draws closer, Ms. Tarmey is also inviting parade organisers to submit details of their event to tourism@clarecoco.ie for inclusion on www.VisitClare.ie.