Thursday’s Morning Focus came live from Killaloe to take a look at tourism in East Clare
Marian Egan was presenting and was joined by James Whelan of Killaloe River Cruises, Teresa Browne of East Clare Tourism and Emlyn Heaps, Managing Director- Harbour Flights Ireland to spread the message of ‘Cead Mile Failte ‘ and discuss tourism marketing and this season so far
Teresa also publicised the East Clare Walking Festival taking place in October and Emlyn discussed the Lough Derg Air Show set to take place on Sunday 9th September
The aim is to create a large tourism event in the locality to promote the East Clare region, the Lough Derg Air Committee have come up with the innovated concept of holding the first ever Air Spectacular September in Mountshannon and its environs
Maire Moynihan met Dr Alan Mee, Project Manager of the White Tailed Eagle reintroduction and Denis Minogue of the Mountshannon Community Council to talk about the two White Tailed Sea Eagles who attempted to breed in the Lough Derg area earlier this year – the first confirmed breeding of the species in Ireland in 110 years
This saw birdwatchers and enthusiasts from all over Ireland gravitate to Mountshannon in the hope of glimpsing the pair
Heritage Week event: This (Saturday from 7 to 8pm, the “Spirit of Lough Derg” series will get underway with a talk at Mountshannon Hotel hosted by Allan Mee of the Golden Eagle Trust on the White Tailed Sea Eagles that nested in Mountshannon this year, the first of the species to do so in Ireland in over a century
Niamh Wiley Murphy of the Scariff Harbour Festival Committee joined Marian to talk about setting up the new www.scariff.ie website – a vehicle to promote business and tourism in the area
It was launched at the Scarriff Harbour Festival
East Clare is full of hidden jems – and none more so than Holy Island on Lough Derg – just a short trip from Mountshannon pier
Clare Fm’s Maire Moynahan took the scenic boat trip from Mountshannon Harbour out to Holy Island this week with local historian, author and tour guide Ger Madden – She found out about the wealth of history, heritage and folklore contained on the small island
Community and business and how this links to tourism was the topic of discussion for Mariam O’Donovan, Chairperson – Killaloe Ballina Business Association, Olivia Hahne of East Clare Community Coop, Scarrif and Jack Murphy, Chairperson – Tulla Comhaltas Branch, who also mentioned the upcoming Tulla Trad Festival on September 7th to 9th
In our walking trails feature this week Maire Moynihan has been speaking with Stasia Moroney of Clare Walks Limited who spoke about the history and development of the East Clare Way
She includes a description of route, the maintenance required, upgrading and linkages with National Trails Office for the upkeep of the long distance route
Also, the planned evolvement for Mid Clare Way into a series of looped day walks to meet current trend for off road day walks
Ruth Minogue of East Clare Heritage, Tuamgraney discussed Heritage Week in East Clare – how it has gone so far, and what’s coming up
This Saturday Ruth will host a “Spirit of Lough Derg” Treasure Trail to educate children about 5,000 years of local history from 12 to 4pm
The Trail will commence from East Clare Heritage Centre in Tuamgraney
Singer and Musician Kate Purcell and fiddler Denise Glass joined Marian to discuss the ‘Celtic Traditions’ concert series – and then they made some music!
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
