Press Statements

Article to appear in FAI Programme for Georgia Republic versus Republic of Ireland Soccer match in Dublin on June 11, 2003.

Kilrush Host Town welcomes Team Georgia for 2003 Special Olympics World Games

“Ketili Ikos Tqveni Mobrdzaneba”

Kilrush Maritime and Heritage Host Town will have a very unique opportunity to show the generosity of spirit for which we are renowned, and open our hearts and homes to the athletes from the Georgia Republic.

Team Georgia is a team of 36 including coaches and athletes competing in tennis, athletics, table tennis and football.

E.S.B. International is a main sponsor and E.S.B. Moneypoint has offered their local sporting facilities for Team Georgia's morning training sessions. There is much delight that Kilrush's local Paul Moody has been included as a member of the Irish soccer squad.

Kilrush Town Council will host a Civic Reception on the first evening for the Georgia Republic Delegation. There will be afternoon trips which will include visits to the Vandeleur Walled Garden for a picnic with traditional Irish music seisiún, a trip to Bunratty Theme Park, a trip to Moneypoint Generating Station, a trip down memory lane on the West Clare Railway at Moyasta Junction, and a visit to the Brothers of Charity Workshop.

During their three-day rest and training sessions, we hope Team Georgia will enjoy a taste of our country and culture and that we too will experience their culture.

Kilrush is the capital of West Clare, which is an area of unspoilt beauty wedged between the Shannon Estuary and the thundering Atlantic. West Clare is `one of Ireland's best kept secrets' and an ideal holiday destination.

Kilrush and West Clare offer a wide choice of accommodation, activities, restaurants, lively pubs, and traditional Irish music sessions. It is an ideal centre for shopping, golf, sailing, fishing, cycling, swimming, discovering dolphins, visiting historic Scattery Island or Vandeleur Walled Gardens. Kilrush Creek Marina welcomes yachts from all over the world and on-shore, deep-sea and fresh water fishing is available. There are golden sandy beaches and pleasant woodland and coastal walks.

(Photo "Eye on the Prize" of John Moody courtesy of The Clare Champion)

Team Georgia will depart from Kilrush to Dublin on Friday June 20. The Special Olympics World Games commence on Saturday June 21 with the Opening Ceremony at Croke Park and will continue until June 29, 2003.

Kilrush Host Town welcomes the Georgia Republic Soccer Team and wish Brian Kerr and the Irish Soccer Team every success on June 11.

Log on to www.westclare.com for updated information regarding Kilrush and Team Georgia's visit to West Clare.

"The Clare Champion"

23/11/2001

Seven Clare Centres To Host Special Olympians

Seven Clare centres have been successful in their bid to become host towns for the Special Olympics World Games in 2003.

The announcement was made at a gala celebration function in the RDS in Dublin last Sunday.

Shannon will host a team from Azerbaijan; Lisdoonvarna join forces with Doolin to welcome a group from the Ukraine; Miltown Malbay will host Kazakhstan while Kilkee will accommodate a team representing Uzbekistan.

Kilrush, for their part, will host the Georgia Republic; Ennis and Ballyea have teamed up to host a large Russian team of 150 athletes and coaches while Ennistymon will welcome a team from Armenia to their town.

Supported by Bank of Ireland as part of their Premier Sponsorship of the World Games, the Host Town Programme is a central part of the Special Olympics World Games. 7,000 athletes, 2,000 coaches from 160 countries will be travelling to Ireland for the Games, the biggest sporting event in the world in 2003.

Prior to the ten days of competition in and around the greater Dublin area, the teams will prepare and acclimatise in cities, towns and communities throughout the island of Ireland.

Speaking at the announcement, Denis O'Brien, Chairman, 2003 World Games Organising Committee congratulated and thanked all the Host Towns for coming forward and offering to host a team.

"Apart from allowing the visiting teams to acclimatise, one of the aims of the Host Town Programme is to promote an understanding in the community of the culture, customs and traditions of the visiting delegation, with particular emphasis on the gifts and talents of people with a learning disability. It's a hugely important part of the Games and I thank everyone in County Clare who has come forward to host a team" he said.

"Roll on 2003!" was the message from the respective Clare Host Town Committees who were in Dublin to hear the announcement. "We are absolutely thrilled," said Ennis & Ballyea Host Town Committee member, Rose Hally. "We will make sure that the Russian team in 2003 receive a welcome they will never forget. They are bringing a big team, one of the biggest European teams. It will be a big challenge for us but I have no doubt that the people of Ennis and Ballyea will do a great job to make sure our Russian visitors have an unforgettable experience" he said.

"We are proud to be playing a part in these Games and hosting Armenia and the Georgia Republic from central Europe will be very exciting " was the reaction of Brigid Foley (Ennistymon) and Cllr Christy O'Malley (Kilrush).

Speaking at the weekend, Gerry Reeves, Mid West Regional Manager, Bank of Ireland said, "We are delighted and honoured to be the Premier Sponsors of the 2003 World Games and, in particular, to be involved with the Host Town Programme, providing towns and villages throughout Ireland with a unique opportunity to support this inspirational movement and the wonderful people who benefit from it."

"Thank you all for your enthusiastic response and let me assure all the Host Town representatives here today that Bank of Ireland will give you every possible support. I am delighted to tell you that our Spirit of Change campaign, which encourages the donation of coins to Special Olympics in advance of the change to Euro is proving to be a great success and should be a significant help in our local fund-raising efforts", he added.

These Special Olympics Pages are sponsored by Kilrush Chamber of Commerce

West Clare -One of Ireland's Best Kept Secrets

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Kilrush Chamber of Commerce

Frances Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland.

Telephone: +353 65 905 1061 Fax: +353 65 905 1002

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