Chamber action plan for Kilrush revival

The gauntlet has been thrown down to Shannon Development to stimulate the economic revival of Kilrush by playing a proactive role in the creation of new job opportunities.
Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has hatched an action plan for the town, which it says if implemented in the Kilrush Creek Marina and landbank areas “would result in new and increased commercial activities and the provision of new skilled jobs in greater Kilrush”.
Already the report has been forwarded to Shannon Development chief executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane, for his consideration and Kilrush Chamber admits that the town, because of its size and geographic location, is unlikely to be a prominent forerunner in the garnering of new international or national-based industries.
“Kilrush must therefore look into itself for its own salvation. Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has identified the Shannon Development-owned and operated Kilrush Creek Marina facility as presenting an excellent location for the creation of a mixed commercial, tourism, educational and social development.
“The facility contains large areas of land, which are currently vacant green field sites, a boat yard, which presents huge potential for further development and exploitation and a marina, which is not being exploited to anything like its full potential,” the action plan outlines.
The report also contains proposals for the extension of the West Clare Railway to Kilrush, the development of a Kilrush Historical and Remembrance Park, a community and youth theatre, a craft village, the development of interpretative centre facilities for Scattery Island as well as the opening of a year-round West Clare Tourism Promotion centre.
The plan has identified the Shannon Development-owned land bank on Merchant’s Quay as a key component of the Chamber’s plan to kick-start economic recovery and activity.
“The Merchants Quay grassed area is not currently for sale by Shannon Development and only upon its full development will it attain any real value. Shannon Development can therefore provide land areas to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, The West Clare Railway, Kilrush Local History Group, the Brothers of Charity, the Royal Western Yacht Club at no financial outlay.
“Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has identified the overall Kilrush Creek Marina facility as holding out real possibility for the creation of new revenue streams and new skilled jobs.
“Kilrush is presenting this submission to Shannon Development, the current owners, for their consideration of the contents contained therein and would request that Shannon Development give serious thought to the development of the facility,” the report states.