News Release -
Shannon Development Secures All Ireland and International Irish Dance Championships for the Shannon Region
€9 million boost expected from Championships
The Chairperson of Comhdháil na Múinteoirí Le Rincí, Ms Paula Breslin, has welcomed the official confirmation that funding has been secured from Shannon Development for the All Ireland and International Irish Dance Championships for the next 2 years to be held at the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Shannon Development’s support of this event will result in a €9 million economic bonanza for Co. Clare and the Shannon Region from over 10,500 Irish and European contestants, their family and friends, who will attend the 2009 event this April.
On Awarding the Event to she said, “This has been a result of much effort and work by the Officers of An Comhdhail, Shannon Development, the Lynch Hotel Group, and other partners to build the case for such a significant investment. It creates a unique opportunity to both organisations and only confirms the economic impact and tourism potential that such an event as the All Ireland and International Dancing Championships can bring to an area”.
Speaking about their support of the event, Pat Daly, Tourism Marketing Manager, Shannon Development said, “Shannon Development is delighted to support the All Ireland and International Dancing Championships. It will bring in a much needed boost to the County Clare and the wider Shannon Region in the shoulder tourism season, with benefits for a range of business in the area from accommodation to restaurants, and visitor attractions. As the tourism authority for the Shannon Region we will work to ensure that all participants have an enjoyable stay in our area”.
The event which runs from Monday 6 April – Sunday 12 April 2009, will attract as many as 2,500 competitors (55% out-of-state) from all over Ireland, England, Scotland and from as far afield as the USA and Slovakia. Approximately 8,000 friends, relations, teachers and other enthusiasts of Irish dancing will support the competitors during the week-long event.
The economic benefit that the Dancing Championships will bring to Ennis and the Shannon region is enormous with hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, travel agencies, transport companies and other leisure facilities all benefiting from the huge influx of visitors anxious to enjoy their visit to the Championships and indeed extend their stay in the Shannon region. The Region won the contract ahead of stiff competition from other Irish regions, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the U.S.
Welcoming the announcement Michael Lynch, Managing Director, Lynch Hotel Group said, “We are delighted to have been in a position to help secure this important event for the Region. It is estimated that in excess of 9000 bednights will be sold in Clare and Limerick throughout the championships with an economic benefit to the region of €9 million euro per year. In times such as these the importance of this event cannot be underestimated. It Is our goal to promote the extensive facilities of The West County Hotel throughout the country and beyond, and we will continue to attract World Class Events such as this in the coming months.”
“I know that the people of the Region will extend their traditional fantastic welcome to the participants of An Comhdhail and would like to sincerely thank Shannon Development for their support and the selection committee in honouring the Region with the All Ireland and International Dancing Championships”.
Pictured at the signing of contracts for funding by Shannon Development to support the All Ireland and International Irish Dance Championships are (l-r) David Byrne Marketing Manger, Lynch Hotel Group, Louise Sweeney PRO for An Comhdháil, Paula Breslin Chairperson of Comhdháil na Múinteoirí Le Rincí, Michael B Lynch, Managing Director, Lynch Hotel Group, Pat Daly, Tourism Marketing Manager Shannon Development, and Siobhan King, Shannon Development Tourism Officer, Co. Clare.
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