This article is from page 28 of the 2007-08-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
COMPETITORS in the Tour of Ire- land cycle race in association with Failte Ireland were given a special welcome as they wheeled into Tua- mgraney last Friday. The cyclists were greeted by ‘Wel- come To East Clare’ signs erected by East Clare Tourism in association with Shannon Development.
The cyclists saw the signs on their way to finish of stage three on Sta- tion Road, Ennis. Placed on the Kil-
laloe Road, they also carried the East Clare Tourism web address – www. visitclare.net – and were placed in prime position to be caught on cam- era by the national media.
Teresa Browne of East Clare Tour- ism explained that the “opportunity was too good to miss. We want to put the message out there that this is a beautiful part of the country to visit”.
This was the first time that the tour has passed through east Clare and Teresa says it is “a great boost for the
area.”
While business is good this month in the tourism sector in east Clare, Teresa said, there is still a long way to go.
“July was a very bad month. A number of people in the bed and breakfast sector have decided to get out of the business and there will be more at the end of the season. There’s a lot of concern about the future, what with the Shannon situation.”
Teresa doesn’t believe that the bad weather was the cause of people not
holidaying in the area.
“We really need one major attrac- tion in east Clare if people in this region are going to continue in the tourism business,” she said.
“But we keep hoping and we’ll do everything we can to promote the area. It’s a beautiful region to holiday in and there are plenty of facilities, accommodation and activities. We were delighted that the tour passed through such a beautiful location to give a taste of how lovely east Clare ira