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Tag Archives: bunratty

Huge sums sought for Ryder Cup rentals in Clare and elsewhere

THE Ryder Cup is set to bring a big economic boost to the Mid West in 2027, and homeowners in Clare may be able to make tens of thousands of euros through renting their houses to golf fans. The accomommodationfortheevent website is providing a platform for those seeking to rent their houses, and in a number of cases the sums being sought are eye watering. A sum of €17,000 is currently being sought for one four-bedroom house in the Bunratty/Cratloe area. While it’s a huge sum for what’s a short event, it is by no means exceptional, with several property owners looking for more than €40,000 and some up to €50,000. Not all of these are in particularly close proximity to Adare either, with one outside Listowel seeking €45,000. A sum of €28,000 is being sought for an apparently unremarkable three bedroom house in Limerick city. Brian Higgins of www.accommodationfortheevent.com said that many houses in Clare would be of interest …

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Shannon Heritage cedes Limerick asset, but Clare deal more complex

KING John’s Castle has been transferred to Limerick City and County Council, and while the transfer of Shannon Heritage assets to Clare County Council is taking longer, it is still very likely to go ahead in the near future. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council PJ Ryan said that talks on the transfer are still continuing and going quite well. “It’s ongoing at the minute, my understanding is that the Department is negotiating with the Council at the moment, and that there are positive negotiations regarding the first three years after Clare County Council taking over from Shannon Heritage.” He said that the take over in Clare is far more complex than Limerick City and County Council taking over the running of King John’s Castle, which it actually owned already, but did not operate. “King John’s Castle is a different situation, there’s only one entity there, there’s only a handful of staff. In Clare you’d be talking about four different units …

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CEO: ‘I will not leave Clare County Council exposed’

CLARE County Council won’t be taking over the Shannon Heritage sites in the county until a funding package is put in place to support it. That was the message contained in a report provided to councillors at their meeting on Monday. Councillor Alan O’Callaghan had asked for an update on the expected transfer. He noted that staff have been “in limbo” for some time now, while he said repairs and improvements are required at some of the sites.  Responding CEO Pat Dowling said that the Council has put a lot of emphasis on the transfer, and there have been meetings with the staff on two occasions. He said that it is crucial that the appropriate level of due diligence takes place. “I will not and cannot expose Clare County Council to any unforeseen expenditure.” Further detail to Mr O’Callaghan’s query regarding this due diligence was provided in a response from Director of Rural Development Leonard Cleary. “Clare County Council and …

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Famous thatch at Clare restaurant to go under new plans

THE famous thatch roof at a popular Bunratty restaurant is set to go under new plans approved by Clare County Council, writes Owen Ryan. Gallagher’s Seafood Restaurant has been granted planning permission for the replacement of its thatch roof with natural slate, for internal changes and for retention permission for its external dining area with retractable roof and windows. Regarding its plans for the roof the application it said, “The thatch roof has come to the end of its lifespan and it has been very difficult to, firstly, source a thatcher that can do the works and secondly the defining issue is the fire proofing of the thatch. “Indeed, the kitchen is adjacent to the thatch roof and this is a major concern in terms of fire risk to the management of the restaurant along with the issue of insurance as it has become uneconomical to insure and therefore an alternative solution has to be found.” Regarding the external dining …

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Mineral prospecting licence considered for two Clare areas

PROSPECTING for minerals in parts of Tulla and Bunratty may be give the green light, a government department has said.  The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is accepting submissions up to January 8 on an application from a Meath-based company. The Department has posted a notice of its intention to grant a prospecting licence to Minco Ireland for base metals, barytes, and ores of silver and gold. In the notice, the activity to be allowed is described as “mineral exploration involving desktop studies, geo-chemistry, surface geophysics and drilling”.  A map of the townlands affected is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/507ce-prospecting-licence-notices/ The notice states that, where possible, the details will also be made available at Ennis Garda Station, Clare County Council and the Geological Survey of Ireland in Dublin.  The Department has stated that a prospecting licence authorises exploration for mineral deposits, but not the mining of any minerals. “The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of …

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Thirty new jobs in the offing as Clare hotel plans to expand

PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council for improvements to a prominent hotel, which could see the creation of 30 jobs, writes Owen Ryan. According to the planning application made by Bunratty Castle Hotel, the development would see the “rationalisation, upgrade and repair (principally required as a result of fire damage) of part of the existing hotel resulting in an increase in gross floor area from 1,377 square metres to 1,559 square metres”. There would be removal of internal and external walls and external structures, the reconfiguration of certain internal spaces, the construction of a single storey extension to the rear of the hotel and the provision of a new extended frontage to the bar/bistro. The application says that the development seeks to “increase the functionality of the business and ensure its viability going forward”. It also says that “A fire occurred in the hotel in June 2021 and the proposed works will rationalise, upgrade and repair the part …

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Shannon Heritage posts loss of €3 million

SHANNON Heritage made a loss of over €3 million in 2020, according to a newly filed financial statement. The business review section of the document noted that effect of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and its impact on tourism. It stated that the pandemic led to the closure of “significant elements of the company’s business at various times in 2020” and has had a significant and ongoing negative impact on inbound international tourism. The review stated, “In March, following the imposition of Government restrictions, all sites were closed and since then business operations and the opening of the company’s attractions continues to be dictated by the prevailing Government advice. “All banqueting activity ceased in March and has not recommenced since then and the timing of the return of banqueting activities remains uncertain. “Two of our seasonal day visitor sites, Dunguaire and Craggaunowen did not open in 2020.” It noted that since March, the company has had substantial staff numbers on …

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Shannon Heritage workers to be protected under transfer

THIS morning it has been confirmed that Shannon Heritage’s visitor attractions in Clare including Bunratty Castle, will transfer to Clare County Council, with King John’s Castle transferring to Limerick City and County Council. IN response to a query regarding the transfer, a spokesperson for Shannon Group said, “The transfer of these heritage sites aligns with the two local authorities’ tourism development strategies and will provide opportunities for enhancing synergies and maximising the potential of these heritage sites in the region. The central role which local authorities are playing in tourism product development and sustainable tourism development make them a natural fit for Shannon Heritage.” The Shannon Group statement added, “State agencies in the region are committed to recovery from the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on the airport and on overseas visitors to the Mid-West. The arrangements announced today will assist Shannon Group to focus on the recovery of the airport, building back international passengers as soon as possible, while …

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