New campaign launched to encourage 'local' tourists to visit Clare during special weekend

An innovative campaign to kickstart the 2025 tourism season in Clare will be launched next week 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 attractions will host the third annual ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ initiative on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13. 

The 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 number one.  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 Clare. 

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Across the weekend of April 12 and 13, 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; Irish Seed Savers and the Clare Museum, Ennis.

“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. 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," he added.

Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services for Tourism Development at Clare County Council, explained 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.”

Hotelier Seán Lally, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, commented: “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’."

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Deirdre O’Shea, Head of Tourism with Clare County Council, stated: “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.

“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 visitclare.ie/wow for full details about the ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ initiative which takes place over the weekend of April 12-13.