CROWDS OF BETWEEN 2,000 TO 3,000 people are expected in Clarecastle this weekend for the return of the Regatta.

Clarecastle is almost in party mode, the Regatta will be held for the first time since 2019 when it celebrated its tenth birthday. The Scanlan family have erected the flags to signal that the return is edging closer, the decorations have also been noted in the Tidy Towns report for the village.

When it comes to important events and organisations in the village, the Clarecastle Regatta is similar to the GAA, Donal Carey noted. โ€œWhen we started in 2010, we were trying to revive an event which hadnโ€™t taken place for a long time, it hadnโ€™t been held since 1980s,โ€ he recalled.

A wide range of events are planned for Saturday June 25th including live music, market stalls, a dog show, vintage cars, a hanging tough challenge, childrenโ€™s races, kayaking, amusements, fancy dress parade, challenges in hurling and football plus competitions for best dressed lady and bonny baby.

Donal has been Chairperson of the committee for the past thirteen years, earning the gig after proposing at a GAA meeting that efforts be made to revive the Regatta, it had been a firm fixture in the local calendar three decades ago prior to its revival.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Donal singled out the contributions of his colleagues on the committee including Paddy Quinn, Pascal Russell, Paul Murphy and Vice Chair Fergal Griffin who he said the events couldnโ€™t proceed without.

He explained that the Regatta is viewed as a day to reconnect with families, this occurring after they linked with The Gathering in 2013. โ€œThe Regatta is a day to call families home from abroad, it has become synonymous with family days outโ€.

With this being the first Regatta in over two years, it has heightened the desire of families to meet up. โ€œWe have first cousins coming from Westport and Dublin, we havenโ€™t seen these people because of COVID so it has allowed us as family to pick a date and have a few more Careys around the place. Loads of families are doing something similar. The Regatta is synonymous with the area we live in, we have the fishing village which Dalo talks vehemently about itโ€.

Between 2,000 to 3,000 people are estimated to attend the festivities. Donal said, โ€œWeโ€™ve been very lucky with the weather, the weather has really smiled on us, record breaking heat in other days. They come from all over, youโ€™d see people from various county coming to it, we have currach races that people from Ennis or Clarecastle wouldnโ€™t traditionally see, Clarecastle Fergus Currach Club is part of our community, people can try out these boats this weekend, it is a massive opportunity for this club to bring people in and invite to joinโ€.

Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) forms part of the committee behind the event, this Saturday heโ€™ll be tasked with the barbeque where all proceeds from the food go to Clare Crusaders Clinic. There is no entry fee but all donations will go towards local charities, the former Mayor of Ennis explained.

On the importance of the event, Paul said, โ€œThis is huge, this is a real local family day, we get others from around the county to come, itโ€™s a day that is very affordable for families, anything that is charged for is done at cost, itโ€™s not a profit making exerciseโ€.

Both Murphy and Carey voiced praise of the group of retired man Quay known locally as โ€˜Popeye and the Troopsโ€™ that maintain Quay. โ€œThe whole community is working towards enhancement of making the place visually better. The Quay and Clarecastle really benefit from the work of Tidy Towns,โ€ Donal flagged.

 

Related News

john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
garda checkpoint ennis 10-04-20 3
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter
Latest News
Screenshot 2025-10-16 111517
Clare Echo Halloween photo contest
john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
o'callaghans mills vs ruan 04-10-25 colm cleary 1
Cleary swaps World Trade Center for Cusack Park in Mills bid for promotion
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
Premium
Stig hitting top gear as Magpies make final push for promotion
St Flannan's & St Joseph's Tulla come from behind to force draws in Harty Cup first round
Horgan hopeful of more success with Truagh/Clonlara
'There was no getting past our defence' - Kilmihil brought different attitude says captain Currane
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.