HOW FAR DO you reckon you could throw your tree? The Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place in Co Clare today.

The fourth annual event will see people compete to throw a 1.5 metre tree the longest distance – there’s even an under 12′s section and all proceeds raised go towards ISPCC Childline.

Eamon Ward Eamon Ward

The lumberjack tradition is very popular in Germany – where the World Record is currently held by Klaus Pubnaz. He hurled a tree 12 metres at an event there four years ago.

The event in Clare is the only one in Ireland so the lucky winner will receive the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship trophy.

Eamon Ward Eamon Ward

John O’Dea from Limerick and Gary O’Growney from Dublin share the Irish Record having both thrown their trees a distance of 10.2 metres.

Tim Forde, General Manager at Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities described the competition as “a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport, while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause.

This is a sporting charity event open to men, women and children, and each contestant will get three attempts at throwing the Christmas tree.

Eamon Ward Eamon Ward

The Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place between 1 pm – 4 pm at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park, Ennis.

Read: How Christmas baubles are being used to tackle homelessness this winter>