Praise For CLDC Work In Rural Clare

Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has praised the contribution of Clare Local Development Company Ltd (CLDC) to community life in rural parts of the County.

Senator Mulcahy was responding to the news that CLDC has allocated funding totalling €200,000 to Ballina/Killaloe Sports & Community Facilities Development Co Ltd for the construction of two natural grass playing pitches and a synthetic pitch at Clarisford, Killaloe.

The works, which were sanctioned this week by the Government, are being carried out under the Village Renewal & Development measure of the EU LEADER Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

According to Senator Mulcahy: “Community projects such as this would not be possible without the support, financial and otherwise, provided by CLDC. The organisation, formerly known as Rural Resource Development, has a proven track record of providing invaluable assistance to community and voluntary groups in securing LEADER funding.”

Senator Mulcahy noted that over €5 million in LEADER funding was available to support and fund a wide variety of projects in Clare in 2012 and 2013.

“€1.8m was paid out to a wide range of community and enterprise projects in Clare during 2011 under the current LEADER Programme, bringing to €3m the amount paid out locally since 2009. The actual amount approved in this period was €5.5m. Projects such as the sports development in Killaloe bring a new lease of life to rural parts of the county and also present a central social outlet for the people of the communities concerned.”

Senator Mulcahy congratulated the members of Ballina/Killaloe Sports & Community Facilities Development Co Ltd for their efforts to develop the playing pitches and associated facilities at Clarisford.

“As a former Mayor of Clare and Shannon I have witnessed at first hand the differences that such facilities can make in a local community,” he explained.

“I wish to congratulate the community group for making a substantial private investment in this development. Were it not for the commitment of the Project team, the additional funding allocation from CLDC would not have been secured.  I have no doubt that the community facilities, costing almost €400,000 in total, will help to further improve the quality of life for members of the local community,” conclude Senator Mulcahy.

Clare Tourism Operators Gather For Gala Event

More than 80 tourism and hospitality operators from across Clare will host stands at the Clare Tourism Forum Gala Networking Evening, the County’s foremost annual networking event, in Ennistymon’s Falls Hotel on Tuesday 22 May.

This year’s trade event will feature a ‘Speed Networking’ session during which tourism business owners and visitor attraction operators will exchange information about their operations.  

The Gala evening also will feature the launch of a new ‘Clare Tourism Initiative’, aimed at capitalising on County Clare’s reputation as a “friendly and welcoming” tourism destination.

Forum Chairperson, Barbara Faulkner commented: “A significant amount of work has been undertaken by Forum members to promote the sector at local and national level. Efforts are continuing to take advantage of the growing domestic market.”

“On behalf of the Forum members, I would like to pay tribute to the commitment of Clare’s tourism operators to maintaining their operations to a very high standard and ensuring that visitors to the County, domestic and foreign alike, are provided with a unique and memorable experience”, Ms. Faulkner added.

According to Philomena O’Connell, Marketing Officer, Clare Tourism Forum: “This free business-to-business event is intended to provide tourism and hospitality industry representatives with the opportunity to showcase their tourism operation to the local sector, including the accommodation, activities and attractions sectors, food producers, festival and event operators, transport sector, local tourism agencies, hospitality industry associations, and Tourist Information Offices.”

“It also presents an invaluable opportunity to network and to receive updates on local tourism developments and offers available within the County. Through collaboration and the sharing of information, there is no doubting the benefits for everyone involved in Clare tourism,” she concluded.

The Clare Tourism Forum Gala Tourism Networking Evening takes place at 6.00pm on Tuesday 22 May 2012 in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare. For more see www.clare.ie or contact ctf@clarecoco.ie / 065 6846537.

The Clare Tourism Forum was established in 2005 to provide a collaborative approach to marketing and promoting County Clare as an attractive, unique and celebrated tourism destination.  The Working Group meets on a monthly basis to co-ordinate the activities of the Forum.  Members include Clare County Council, Shannon Development, Doonbeg Golf Resort, Kilrush Town Council, East Clare Tourist Group, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Aillwee Cave and the Burren Birds of Prey Centre, Clare Sports Partnership, Dromoland Castle, The Old Ground Hotel, Shannon Heritage, Temple Gate Hotel Ennis, Peppers Bar and Restaurant Feakle, Falls Hotel & Spa, and The Burren Centre Kilfenora.

Inaugural Ennis Citizen's Recognition Awards Are Presented

The first ever recipients of the “Mayor of Ennis’ Citizens Recognition Awards” were last night heralded for their outstanding contribution to community life in Clare’s County town.