A cast of rural champions, including Scarriff businessman Padraig Giblin, has been confirmed for a conference at the end of the month that will seek inspiration from the world of sport in the bid to rejuvenate ailing parts of rural Ireland.
Next Wednesday’s conference – ‘Building Rural Community – Lessons from Sport’ – is a gathering aimed at stimulating ideas to help with the fightback for rural Ireland, parts of which – including here in Clare – are severely challenged through depopulation, unemployment and resultant dwindling services.
The focus of the conference http://buildingruralcommunities.com/, as the title suggests, is how we can look to sport for inspiration.
If ever there was example of where we can get that it’s Scarriff man and conference speaker Padraig Giblin, founder of Sports World Netting and Derg Isle team building centre.
Padraig has built two successful business just outside the east Clare village – an area of the country ravaged by depopulation and unemployment following the closure of its one-time 300 job chipboard factory.
In this short video Padraig tells the story of the proud east Clare village’s decline and his determination to fight back.
https://www.facebook.com/theclareherald/videos/1309969949082550/
Padraig is in good company at the conference – other speakers include Pat Spillane, Cedra Chairman and Kerry football legend; Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships; Michael Ryan, All-Ireland winning hurling manager and player; John ‘Bull’ Hayes, Munster and Ireland rugby legend – all rural Ireland champions who know what it takes to win.
Interest in the event is already strong, with tickets – which cost just €10 and can be booked at www.buildingruralcommunities.com or by contacting MIC, St. Patrick’s Campus, Thurles at 0504-21201 – selling quickly. The event commences at 7p.m. and concludes at 9:30p.m.