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 Shannon Group are working with the relevant National Government Departments to secure national funding for the proposed transfer,” Mr Cleary said.
“This is necessary to enable the local authority to manage operational and capital costs. These include staff costs, recovery from the impact of the pandemic, capital refurbishment /development and important conservation works.
“The local authority will not be in a position financially to proceed with the transfer until the national funding package is in place.”
He also stated that “a detailed and robust due diligence process” is ongoing.
His report added that Clare County Council has engaged experienced specialist services to examine a range of topics relating to the potential takeover.
These include Human Resource, Operational and Financial, Property and Assets, Capital Investment, ICT, Legal and Taxation relating to the Shannon Heritage properties, namely Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the retail unit within Cliffs of Moher Experience.
“Technical Due Diligence (TDD) reports on buildings /property are required as part of the potential transfer of Shannon Heritage DAC to Clare County Council as a subsidiary company,” he added.
Clare County Council is about to take on a number of people in preparation for the transfer.
“In anticipation of National Government approval of the proposed transfer, Clare County Council will shortly commence the recruitment process for a small number of tourism roles to ensure that adequate staff capacity is in place at the time of transfer.
“These roles will be created to support Clare County Council’s tourism remit of overseeing the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attractions and sites throughout Clare, including the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Loop Head Lighthouse, Vandeleur Walled Gardens, Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience /Holy Island (currently under development) and the Clare-based Shannon Heritage sites.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.