*Irene Hamilton. Photograph: Bob Singer
Volunteers are needed for a new mobile tourist information office planned for the Kilrush Market Square, which hopes to assist visitors as they enter the gateway to West Clare.
The free-standing unit, which will serve as a multi-purpose community centred hub throughout the year was a project co-funded by the Clare Local Development Company’s Market Towns Initiative and implemented by the Kilrush Town Team.
Highlighted as a “key to capturing passing traffic off the ferry from Killimer”, the Town Team identified the need for the tourist office in a bid “to promote the town and the local West Clare area.” The office forms part of the tourism strategy developed by the Town Team under the Tourism Development Plan, which also availed of LEADER funding.
Kilrush Town Team Tourism Lead Irene Hamilton stated: “The square is the heart of the town. Tourism has been a very important focus area for Kilrush. We have seen a lot changing with the increased numbers in Kilrush the last two years.
“Kilrush has also been building as an activity centre. There are water activities and cycling routes that all link to the natural assets we have to offer. We have it all here and the office will help, as the biggest challenge has been that people passing by are not seeing what the town has to offer,” she added.
Having arrived in the town last week, the new unit is due to receive a branded makeover before its tenure as an information office, which will stretch into mid-September. Volunteers are asked to give either a full or half day per week to promote the town, local businesses and the greater West Clare area. “It would be perfect for a student that wants that experience or for a retired person who is passionate about the town and may have some free time,” Irene concluded.
