THE town of Ennis played host to an unusual New Year tradition in Co. Clare yesterday – the annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship.
Inspired by an ancient activity carried out by lumberjacks in Germany and Austria, competitors launch a standard 5ft Christmas tree as far as they can, with the longest effort deemed the winner.
Need to get rid of your tree? The fifth annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place in Clare today https://t.co/q5bJUl53j6
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) January 3, 2016
Participants travel from all over Ireland to take part in the growing event, with John O’Dea of Limerick being crowed the 2016 champion in the competition’s fifth year.
As well as proving to be a bit of fun for the community, proceeds are raised for charity each year, with the West Clare Mini-Marathon Cancer Centre benefiting from this year’s funds.
Backpage pic: The Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship in aid of the ISPCC, Ennis, Clare. Pic: Eamon Ward (RMC) pic.twitter.com/igRN3JcyOT
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) January 5, 2015
Klaus Pubnaz currently holds the world record for his 12-metre throw in Germany five years ago.
View video footage of the 2016 Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship here.
