All Signs Lead to Burren Festivals 2012

April 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Organisers estimate that the events will lead to a combined footfall of 14,000 and 6,300 bed nights in the region, worth approximately €2.5million to the local economy during May and June.

The six events include the Brehon Law Weekend (May Bank Holiday Weekend), Burren in Bloom (May), Burren Marathon Challenge (May 26th), Féile an tSamhraidh (June Bank Holiday Weekend), Ballyvaughan Races (June 17th) and An Post Tour de Burren (June 23rd).

The initiative is being led by Ballyvaughan Development. Group Chairperson Patrick O’Donoghue said: “The launch of Burren Festivals 2012 shows how groups can work together and combine their individual strengths to make all these festivals a massive success. We hope to build upon this for the future.”

The Clare Tourism Forum said the combined marketing of six separate events would generate significant benefits for North Clare and the County as a whole.

Speaking at the launch of Burren Festivals 2012 at Aillwee Cave and Burren Bird of Prey Centre in Ballyvaughan, Forum Chair Barbara Faulkner stated: “The collaborative approach and cross promotion efforts being adopted by the organisers of each of these events will ensure that individual events will benefit while the region itself is promoted to a wider audience.”

Ms. Faulkner noted that the lead set by Burren Festival participants should encourage other event organisers throughout the region to group together to help promote their respective communities and regions.

“In this day and age of increased competition from other tourism markets, there is a real danger that Ireland’s tourism and hospitality businesses may not succeed unless a concerted and united approach is adopted. The Clare Tourism Forum promotes such an approach and congratulates Ballyvaughan Development for developing this initiative, in conjunction with the event organisers,” she added.

According to John Sweeney of Clare Sports Partnership: “We are delighted to once again be involved in two of the festivals in Ballyvaughan this year, namely the Burren Marathon Challenge and the An Post Tour de Burren. We have seen these two events grow over the last 4 years. Both events are now noted nationally as being ranked highly in their disciplines. Locally, they have played a major role in helping to increase physical activity levels to the recommended 30 minutes a day. "

Burren Festivals 2012:
-   The 2012 An Post Tour de Burren takes place on June 23rd and will feature the 12km Family Spin, The 66km Black Head Battle, The Burnin’ Burren 108km Spin and The Fr. Ted's Day Out 162km Spin. See www.tourdeburren.com.
-   Originally started in 1970, The Ballyvaughan Races returned in 2010 after an absence of 35 years. The races offer a fun day out for all the family with attractions to cater for everybody in the picturesque surroundings of Newtown Castle. See www.facebook.com/BallyvaughanRaces.
-   Féile an tSamhraidh (Burren Summer Festival) will take place in Ballyvaughan and Fanore during the June Bank Holiday Weekend. The event will showcase visitor attractions and activities as will feature a range of musical entertainment, including Sean Tyrell, Chris Droney, Swallows Tail Ceili band and Bagatelle, along with a mix of other entertainment. For more visit www.discoverballyvaughan.com/feile.
-   The Burren Marathon Challenge on 26 May features a choice of full, half or mini marathons through the Burren's scenic landscape. See www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com.
-   Burren in Bloom, in association with the Burren College of Art and the Burrenbeo Trust, takes place throughout May and features a series of illustrated talks and organised walks, giving people an understanding and appreciation of the Burren and its formation.  See www.burreninbloom.com
-   The annual Burren Law School, held the first weekend in May, aims to recreate the tradition of legal learning associated with the Brehon Law Schools, allowing the past to illuminate the present. See www.burrenlawschool.org.