Up, up and away in Mountshannon

IRELAND’S first sea plane service has taken flight. At 10am on Wednesday, the aircraft made its maiden flight over Lough Derg and when the service is fully operational, it is expected to create up to 50 new jobs.
Up to 20 flights departed from Mountshannon Harbour on the four-seater seaplane on Wednesday, such was the demand.

The first two passengers to see Lough Derg from the air on the seaplane were Catherine and Tim Healy from Darragh in Ennis.

Based at Mountshannon, Harbour Flights Ireland is the brainchild of CEO, Emelyn Heaps, an aviation enthusiast and Clare resident with extensive tourism expertise.

Commenting on the flight, Mr Heaps said, “It’s been a hell of a long journey but we’re finally here. We’re amazed at the level of interest on the first day of operation and we’re ecstatic that we are now up and running.”

After a number of decades of developing the idea and five years of planning, the seaplane operation aims to connect Ireland through its waterways, lakes, rivers, and estuaries by offering scenic flights that criss-cross the country.

“This is one of the most exciting Irish tourism innovations in many years. We want this service to make the citizens of Ireland proud.

“This tourism initiative will showcase Ireland to visitors from a wholly unique perspective, will maximise visitor experience, while allowing for quick and easy transfers between key destinations,” Mr Heaps said.

While initially based in Clare, plans are advanced to expand further afield into Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Foynes and Cork. In its first year of operation, Harbour Flights has set itself a target of carrying 10,000 passengers across Irish skies and hopes to generate spin-off enterprise in the Mountshannon locality.

The service will include scenic tours of stunning Lough Derg and surrounding areas, including King John’s Castle in Limerick, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher.