PROMOTION:FORMER IRISH rugby captain and Clare native Keith Wood has led a 40-strong team to London as Clare bids to become the first county in Ireland to harness the goodwill of its UK diaspora in promoting tourism.
Speaking after the “London to Clare” event in the Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, Wood said: “It’s time for us in Clare to lead the way and take responsibility for creating a county that is spirited, creative and productive – not just for us, but for the generations of the future.”
Buoyed by the Global Irish Forum and the desire to restore Ireland’s economic reputation, the Clare team engaged with 250 influential members of its community in London and the UK to tap into their talent, expertise and willingness to serve the interests of the county and the country in cash-strapped times.
The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), which is also brother of renowned traditional fiddle player Martin Hayes, said: “We have a county of outstanding beauty, unrivalled tradition of music and superb quality food. Turn down any narrow road in the countryside and you will find artists and artisan products of the highest world standards.”
Among the product providers who travelled from Clare was hand-smoked salmon producer Birgitta Curtin of The Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna. Curtin offered the same delicacies at the London to Clare evening that were provided to Queen Elizabeth at the state dinner in Dublin Castle earlier this year.
Artist Michael Hanrahan, whose painting of Queen Elizabeth’s inaugural visit to Ireland is part of her personal art collection that hangs in Buckingham Palace, was also present.
Joe Russell, chairman of Clare Tourism Forum, which inspired the event, stressed the significance of the county’s assets and its ease of access from London via Shannon Airport.
It is hoped the initiative will generate €1 million and 2,000 tourists to coincide with The Gathering homecoming initiative in 2013.
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