This article is from page 9 of the 2012-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
DESPITE predictions of a wash out, Ennis is after having a bumper weekend. The inclement weather of the last week did not dampen the spirits of visitors to the county town for the Street Festival, Senior Inter-county Hurling Championship game and general tourist activities.
It is not yet known the exact net financial worth of the busy July weekend, but local estimates put it at hundreds of thousands of euro, with the more optimistic suggesting up to € 1 million.
The county spirit as well as the local economy got a boost after the two days of activities topped by a Clare win against Dublin.
President of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce Brian O’Neill described it all “as the best weekend of the year”.
All accommodation was booked out on Saturday night as the Dublin hurling team discovered when they searched for a bed for the night shortly after 10pm.
Mr O’Neill, who owns the popular Rowan Tree restaurant and hostel, said that he had a lot of the Dublin hurling fans staying with him, and although there was no room at his inn when the team called, he was sure they were accommodated elsewhere.
As many as 2,000 Dubliners are understood to have stayed in Ennis on Saturday night to enjoy the party atmosphere, despite their disappointment.
The fallout of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway saw more bed occupied.
Mr O’Neill explained that Ennis accommodated a lot of the overflow from the Ocean Race, as many people opted to stay in Ennis and travel to Galway for the different events.
Many also stayed around the town’s street festival, which brought life to the town on Sunday according to the chamber president.
He also paid tribute to what is proving one of the biggest tourist attractions in the town this year – Ennis Abbey.
“Since Ennis Abbey re-opened it is driving a lot more tourists into the town centre and keeping them there. It is free of charge but benefiting the local economy as people stay around to buy a bottle of water, a sandwich, cup of coffee or another gift,” said the business man.
“The attitude and atmosphere is so much better when people are seen around the town,” he added.