Posted online: Feb 25th, 2010

Letterkenny is preparing to take the strain and pull when it goes up against Holland and Japan for the right to host the World Tug of War Championships in 2012.
Letterkenny is bidding for the right to host the event and the Tug of War International Federation will now decide whether the prestigious competition comes to Donegal. The town was put forward at the meeting of the Irish governing body in Tullamore on Sunday and it saw off competition from Mayo to be in with a chance to be the host town in 2012.
The Ulster Chairman of the Irish Tug of War Association, Billy Geary from Castlefinn, confirmed that Letterkenny was up for consideration.
“We have put in for the World Championships in Letterkenny,” he told the Post.
“We have to tender for them and then go out to England to meet the world body in London on April 4th.”
Holland and Japan have also put themselves forward as prospective hosts and Mr Geary said that the challenge would be to sell Donegal and Letterkenny at the meeting in London. Being chosen to host the championships would prove to be a major economic boost for the local area.
“It’s a very big thing. It would fill all of the hotels in Letterkenny if we got it. You would need 800 beds for the pullers alone.”
Mr Geary is currently attending the 2010 World Tug of War Championships in Italy and he will be using his time there to further promote Letterkenny to representatives from around the world.
“We stand a good chance. We’re going to try and sell it over here now.”