Discover The Banner for Less; Innovative tourism campaign kickstarts County Clare’s 2025 tourist season
An innovative campaign to kickstart the 2025 tourism season in Clare takes place this April when locals and visitors to the county are offered free and half-price admission to a variety of attractions, sites and cultural events.
Clare County Council’s Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum and local tourism attractions, is hosting the third annual ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ initiative on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13. This initiative was inspired by consumer research, which revealed that for both domestic and overseas visitors, when asked what they loved most about Clare, they rated the people of Clare as their no. 1. This indicated strong and positive engagement between locals and visitors.
Recognising this, residents and visitors alike are being encouraged to explore their own county, reacquainting themselves with popular places they may not have visited in years or discovering lesser-known parts of the county. Discounted admission is being offered at some of Clare’s best known visitor attractions and events, including: Ailwee Burren Experience; Alpaca Walk with the Flying Alpaca; Bunratty Castle and Folk Park; Burren Smokehouse; the Burren Visitor Centre, Kilfenora; Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations; Charm Bee Studios; Cliffs of Moher Experience; Doolin Cave; Doolin Ferry; Killaloe River Cruises; Lahinch Leisure Centre; Loop Head Lighthouse; Moher Hill Open Farm; Postcard Perfect Photowalk; Shannon Aviation Museum; Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre; Wildes Irish Chocolates; for communities and visitors to enjoy a free self-guided tour at Irish Seed Savers; free admission to the Clare Museum, Ennis; and to embrace the atmosphere of events such as the Lahinch Traditional Festival or the Music Makers of West Clare.
“This exciting weekend offers the perfect opportunity for people to experience the rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique activities that make County Clare a standout destination,” explained Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
“Attractions that participated in this promotional campaign during the past two years reported a huge increase in footfall,” he added. “As the 2025 tourist season begins, I am delighted to see this campaign return and promote the array of attractions and activities available on the Clare public’s doorstep.”
The Cathaoirleach continued, “I encourage everyone, particularly families, to take advantage of the half-price and free admission offers that are listed on www.visitclare.ie/wow and come out and enjoy the best of County Clare.”
Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services for Tourism Development and West Clare Municipal District, Clare County Council, explained that the campaign encourages the Clare public to discover – or rediscover – what the county has to offer.
“This weekend is all about the people of Clare exploring their own county, reacquainting themselves with popular places they may not have visited in years or discovering lesser-known parts of the county,” she stated. “I commend the participating attractions and events for providing generous discounts on admissions for the weekend.”
Seán Lally, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, said, “Clare tourism operators and Clare County Council are never short of ideas when it comes to reimagining how we promote our local offering, as evidenced by the huge turnout at the recent Clare ‘Tourism Together’ Networking event at the Inn At Dromoland. In an increasingly competitive international tourism market, growing and promoting our tourism offering to the domestic audience is vitally important, which is why I fully support the continuation and expansion of ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’.”
“We are looking to build on the outstanding success of the first two years of this initiative by widening our promotional campaign through local media and this year to include national radio advertising in the week leading up to the ‘Be a Tourist’ weekend,” explained Deirdre O’Shea, Head of Tourism with Clare County Council.
“This initiative will provide much needed pre-season support to attractions and activity providers at a time when they are facing numerous challenges, including the rising costs of doing business,” she added. “The people of Clare are our greatest ambassadors when it comes to promoting the county, so it is important that we hold this campaign as a reminder of the tourism riches available to enjoy and explore on their doorstep.”
Visit www.visitclare.ie/wow for full detail on ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ to include the offers available on the weekend of April 12-13. Advance booking is required for some participating attractions. Offers are valid only on the specified dates and may require online pre-booking. A full list of participating attractions and events will also be published in regional and local newspapers, week beginning April 7.
Page last reviewed: 01/04/25
Content managed by: Corporate Services Department
Back to topThis is just for feedback on our web site, not comments or questions about our services.
To tell us about anything else, go to our contact us pages.