Killaloe makes bid for capital status

KILLALOE may be designated honorary capital of Ireland for a day on Good Friday in 2014 as part of an international festival to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the death of Brian Boru.

It’s just one of the ambitious plans being made by a new group who want to stage a series of major events on the shores of Lough Derg celebrating the life of Killaloe’s most famous historical figure.

The former High King of Ireland ruled from his palace in the Green, Killaloe, Co. Clare from 1002 to 1014.

A committee is hoping to put Killaloe on the map for tourists with a series of events throughout 2014.

Spokesman and local businessman, John O’Shea has said securing the designation as honorary capital of Ireland for Killaloe on Good Friday in 2014 would help secure national and international publicity for their programme of events.

“Killaloe used to be the capital of Ireland over 1,000 years ago so I can’t see why it can’t be made capital of Ireland for a day,” he said.

“It would be a huge boost for tourism if this could be achieved and would provide our new group with a great event to promote nationally and internationally.”