Clare EV Capital 2027 promoted at National Ploughing Championships

County Clare is being promoted as European Volunteering Capital 2027 at this week’s National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly.

Members of the European Volunteering Capital 2027 Stakeholders Committee are attending the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht showcase at the championships, highlighting Clare’s volunteering programme and the opportunities for communities and organisations to get involved during 2027.

An estimated 77,000 people attended the opening day of the championships on Tuesday, with more than a quarter of a million visitors expected over the three-day event.

The promotion comes just over a week before the official launch of County Clare’s European Volunteering Capital 2027 programme.

Clare EVCapital 2027 Stakeholder Committee members Kay Nolan (Clare County Council), Ian Dinan (Chair of Board of Trustees, Volunteer Ireland) and Marie O’Leary (Clare County Council).

Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured with Clare EVCapital 2027 Stakeholder Committee members Kay Nolan (Clare County Council), Ian Dinan (Chair of Board of Trustees, Volunteer Ireland) and Marie O’Leary (Clare County Council).

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan pictured with Clare EVCapital 2027 Stakeholder Committee members Marie O’Leary and Kay Nolan of Clare County Council and Ian Dinan, Chair of Board of Trustees, Volunteer Ireland) and

More than 400 people are expected to attend the launch at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis on Thursday, 24 September. The event will bring together volunteers, community organisations, voluntary groups and other stakeholders from across the county.

The programme will include panel discussions, a showcase of volunteering activity across Clare and information on how individuals and organisations can become involved in events and initiatives planned for 2027.

This new website will also be launched at the event.

The European Volunteering Capital title was awarded to Clare by the Centre for European Volunteering following a competitive European process. Clare County Council and Clare Volunteer Centre submitted a joint bid in June 2025, with Clare announced as the winner later that year.

Clare is the second Irish county to hold the title, following Sligo in 2017.