Today is Little Christmas and as such, it's the final day of enjoying the Christmas tree for many of us.
In Co. Clare, however, some people decided to get rid of their tree a little earlier than tradition would dictate... all in the name of a good cause mind.
Despite the averse weather conditions on Sunday, more than 100 people participated in the 3rd annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship held at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park in Co. Clare.
The fundraising event, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions and commonplace across Germany and Austria, saw members of the public compete to determine the Irish distance record for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree.
Gary O'Growney, originally from Dublin but now living in Kilfenora, won the Championship by equalling the Irish Record set at last year’s event. Gary threw a Christmas tree a distance of 10.2 metres, beating fellow competitor Sean Jaffray’s (Scotland) effort by just 0.3 metres. Norah Murphy won the ladies title with her throw of 6.3m, while the Under 12 section was won by Soran Drayas (9.2m), who finished ahead of second placed Aoife O'Gara (7.86 m).
All proceeds raised during the contest, which was organised by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council, go toward the Clare Branch of Cystic Fibrosis.
