A dedicated new tourism website for County Clare was launched at the Clare ‘Tourism Together’ Networking Event 2023 at the Inn at Dromoland last night (Thursday).
VisitClare.ie is an initiative of Clare County Council and is the most comprehensive ever website dedicated to showcasing everything Ireland’s Banner County has to offer domestic and international visitors.
The site features key information on tourism attractions and activities in every town and village in Clare, information on local accommodation providers, and events and festivals taking place throughout the county. There is also a key focus on the heritage and culture of the county and how visitors can learn more about Clare’s rich past and traditions.
Key tourism industry personnel in County Clare attended the website launch, which formed part of a networking event focusing on challenges and opportunities for the local sector in 2023, including marketing the county, accommodation capacity, sustainable tourism, and the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council. Guest speakers included Pól O’Conghaile (Irish Independent Travel Editor) and Bobby Kerr (Irish Entrepreneur & Businessman).
“VisitClare.ie ultimately acts as a one-stop shop for anyone interested in finding out more about County Clare,” stated Councillor Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, who will officially launch the website next week.
“Now more than ever before, Clare tourism is operating in an extremely competitive and commercial marketplace,” he stated. “The world has and continues to face numerous significant challenges that have an impact on tourism, many of which are beyond our control. That said, the impetus rests with those working in and depending on tourism here in Clare to come together to find ways of creating new opportunities in the face of these challenges.”
The Cathaoirleach added, “We must be innovative and continually look to play to our strengths, of which we are fortunate to have many in our county. What better way to showcase our tourism product than to bring our assets and attributes together and showcase them in one place at VisitClare.ie.”
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, commented, “Clare has much to be proud about when it comes to promoting its tourist attractions, and this new website showcases all visitors need to have an enjoyable and memorable stay in our county.
He continued, “I congratulate everyone involved for their successful efforts to produce a comprehensive, user-friendly presentation of everything this county has to offer, and I am confident it will help position the county as a competitive and attractive destination to domestic and international visitors alike.”
Séan Lally, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, commented, “The common theme of conversation at the Clare ‘Tourism Together’ Networking Event 2023 centred around new ways that the industry here in Clare can work together to promote the county. Clare’s reliance on the tourism economy is particularly acute in comparison to many other parts of the country and it is vital therefore, that we maintain a collaborative approach to how we market the county at home and abroad.”
Leonard Cleary, Director of Rural Development with Clare County Council, noted the Clare tourism sector’s support for the development of VisitClare.ie and its ongoing promotion of the county at local, national and international level.
He said, “We must continue to work towards a vision of developing Clare as a globally recognised and certified sustainable tourism destination. Sustainable tourism is at the core of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030, and I know it also is at the core of the wider sector’s overall approach to tourism development in Clare. I commend everybody for their efforts to date on what has been a challenging time for the sector and the wider Irish economy.”
Pictured Left to Right at the Clare Tourism Together Networking Event 2023 at the Inn at Dromoland; Maurice Walsh, Durty Nellys and Vice Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum; Joan Tarmey and Philomena OConnell, Clare County Council Tourism Dept.; Leonard Cleary, Director of Rural Development, Clare County Council; Pól OConghaile, Irish Independent Travel Editor; Síle Cahill, Clare County Council Tourism Dept.; Deirdre OShea, Head of Tourism, Clare County Council; Cllr. Tony OBrien, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council; Nicola Killeen, Clare County Council Tourism Dept.; Bobby Kerr, Irish Entrepreneur & Businessman and Chairperson of the Board of the Cliffs of Moher Centre DAC; Séan Lally, Hotel Woodstock and Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum; and Siobhan King; Client Services Officer, Fáilte Ireland. Photograph by Eamon Ward 
L-R: Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO, Burren Ecotourism Network; Adrienne OFlynn, Shannon Heritage; Melanie Lennon, Cliffs of Moher Experience; and Sean Davoren, Caherconnell Stone Fort & Field Schools. Photograph by Eamon Ward 
L-R: Noel Wallace, Bunratty Manor; Elaine Lally and Louise Haugh, Hotel Woodstock; and Ivan Tuohy, CEO & Founder, Great Visitor Experiences. Photograph by Eamon Ward 
Vicky OConnell, Clare Rose of Tralee, pictured with Siobhan King, Client Services Officer, Fáilte Ireland. Photograph by Eamon Ward 
Key tourism industry personnel in County Clare participating in the Clare Tourism Together Networking Event 2023 at the Inn at Dromoland. Photograph by Eamon Ward
Deirdre O’Shea, Head of Tourism with Clare County Council, said the Clare ‘Tourism Together’ Networking Event provided a timely opportunity for the local sector to take stock of its successes to date and to examine new opportunities for 2023.
Ms. O’Shea continued, “The Tourism Advisory Forum and Clare County Council’s Tourism Department recognise that 2023 will be another challenging year for tourism, but that a collective effort is required to mitigate against all upcoming challenges. This event underlines our shared commitment to further developing the tourism economy. We will now proceed with rolling out a suite of promotions for Clare attractions, activities, and Dining options, as well as shoulder season marketing campaigns for accommodation providers. Many of these promotions will be linked directly through VisitClare.ie.”
