Tag Archives: Shannon Heritage

THE long-awaited transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council hangs in the balance after Chief Executive, Pat Dowling told councillors he was informed by two senior government officials a funding package estimated to be €15 million over three years would not be approved. While some councillors who attended a two-hour briefing behind closed doors to the public and media on Wednesday are adamant that no final decision has been taken by the council, this latest bombshell represents a major setback to the proposed transfer. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin gave a vague response about the future of this deal when questioned by Deputy Michael McNamara this week. Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy McNamara recalled the Taoiseach had told him on Tuesday he had met Mr during his recent visit to the Shannon Industrial Estate and the CEO had identified there was a funding gap from the council’s perspective. Deputy McNamara said the Taoiseach also stated, “I have …

SHANNON Heritage workers have been left reeling after confirmation of a multi-million Euro investment package in Budget 2023 to facilitate the transfer of its tourism sites to Clare County Council failed to materialise. SIPTU members have said they feel completely “let down” by the government who announced funding for tax cuts and various groups in Budget 2023 but failed to confirm the long-awaited investment package on Tuesday or Wednesday. This comes despite strong indications at a recent rural SPC meeting where councillors were told senior Clare County Council officials had received positive vibes about a major funding announcement on Budget Day. SIPTU members have condemned the failure of the Government to announce the long awaiting multi-million euro funding required to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council. In a hard-hitting statement issued to The Clare Champion,  SIPTU Organiser, Rachel Keane, admitted their members are shocked, bitterly disappointed and feel completely left down by the Government. “They …

HOPES are high the government will announce a multi-million Euro investment package in Budget 2023 to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council following a statement from a senior council official. Clare County Council has drafted a 600-page report outlining the extensive due diligence it has undertaken to take on four key visitor attractions. However, this is contingent on the government providing funding to support the upgrading and maintenance of these sites for three years. Councillors were told the council has received positive vibes that state funding will be provided to facilitate this transfer. In fact, Rural Development Director, Leonard Cleary, said the council is hopeful of an announcement confirming this funding on Budget Day and would be “very disappointed” if it was let down by the government. If funding isn’t approved, Mr Cleary stressed this isn’t really an option for Clare or regional development. Mr Cleary said the transfer is one of the examples …

THE TRANSFER of Shannon Heritage’s Clare sites into the ownership of the local authority cannot proceed without a funding package from government, Council members have been reminded.  At the July meeting of Clare County Council, CEO Pat Dowling said that while intensive work is ongoing on the matter, a decision is still awaited on vital financial support.  A written response to a motion tabled by Councillor Pat McMahon also noted that “the ambiguity surrounding Shannon Heritage ownership is having a negative influence on operations and the morale of the 170 no. employees”. Councillor McMahon’s motion urged the Council to look at opportunities to spread the benefits of Clare’s tourism product, in light of the transfer moves.  “We could explore something like the ‘Ring of Clare’ to bring people right through county,” the Fianna Fáil member said. “We could also hold a competition on branding and invite submissions from schools.” The Shannon area member also noted the lack of hotel beds …

IN the Dáil this week, Clare TD Michael McNamara called for progress on the transfer of Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council, claiming that the matter is being “bounced around Government Buildings.” Addressing the Taoiseach on Tuesday, Deputy McNamara said, “The day Deputy Micheál Martin was elected as Taoiseach, I raised the issue of Shannon Heritage sites with him and the need to take them out of Shannon Group, which does not want them, and give them a new lease of life. “I have raised it several times since. The last time, the Taoiseach said Clare County Council just needs to get on with it. I understand the council very much wants to get on with it but the proposal is being bounced around Government Buildings.  “At the moment, it is between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Transport and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Can the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, tell …

SHANNON Heritage attractions Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and Craggaunowen are set to come alive with entertainment this June Bank Holiday weekend with street theatre and Viking recreations all part of the fun. Craggaunowen is bracing itself for a Viking invasion with a thrilling exhibition of Norse Culture planned on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6 from 10am to 5pm. Hide your valuables because the Vikings are going to be rampaging through the lands of Craggaunowen – you’ll feel as if you are travelling back through time to an era when Viking warriors roamed Ireland! Several battles will place during the day with warriors unleashing their fierce battle skills for visitors to witness. Battles will take place at 12.30pm and 3pm daily on the Craggaunowen Castle Green. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt. Away from the battle front, visitors can experience demonstrations of Viking skills …

SHOULD the Clare County Council takeover of Shannon Heritage proceed it can’t come at the expense of services in Clare County Council or the ratepayers of Clare. This was the view expressed by Senator Martin Conway in the Seanad this week, as he raised the transfer with Minister of State Robert Troy.  “Some €15 million over three years is required, but that will only be the start of it. I understand that due diligence is still under way. “This investment is necessary so that ratepayers and the council do not take a financial hit. We cannot compromise critical services that the local authority provides, for example, housing. “If the council is expected to take over the facilities – it is happy to do so – then the Government needs to step up to the plate and provide the necessary financial resources to make this happen, allow it to be successful in the short term and make it sustainable into the …

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 …