Council ‘hopeful’ of Budget day cash for tourism assets transfer

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 of the integration of tourism products in the county as outlined in the Clare Tourism Strategy in order to increase the time visitors spend in the county and to provide a world class experience in all tourism sites.

The key strength of this objective is the benefit of cross-selling strong visitor attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher to disperse tourists into different parts of the county with the help of Loop Head Lighthouse, Vandeleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush and, in the future, Holy Island.

Mr Cleary said the objective of the council’s tourism strategy is to present Clare in a way that is distinctive and to guide and stimulate investment for the development of the tourism product, increase visitor stay and overall spend.

He outlined the council wants to encourage visitors coming to the Cliffs of Moher to visit attractions in East Clare.

Working with key stakeholders in the tourism industry, he said the council wants to upgrade its visitor attractions to provide a top class experience for tourists visiting the county.

“For Shannon Heritage, there is a high level requirement to assess the current product offer to develop a future plan that will improve the commercial sustainability of the sites and to drive economic growth in the region.”

A comprehensive briefing on the transfer was provided by the council’s due diligence manager, Donnacha Lynch, who produced a very detailed report analysing the business, operations, strengths, weaknesses, assets and liabilities.

This report was submitted to government departments as part of the due diligence process, which also presents the case why a financial package is needed for this transfer to proceed.

The council has engaged with government ministers in the area of tourism, local government and transport with more discussions planned with the Department of Local Government and the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform.

Niamh O’Callaghan, who worked for Shannon Heritage for 18 years in Bunratty, said she knows the sites are “magical” and have great potential for future development.

“It was really disheartening to see the amount of passionate staff who were not being heard on things that could go on to make the sites a much better place.

“Craggaunowen is one of the hidden gems and could have so many different things going on in the place and could replicate what is happening in Lough Key Park.

“I hope ye listen to the staff and keep a lot of them on. There are a lot of very passionate people who have chosen to stay on.”

Councillor Cillian Murphy wondered if the councillors’ decision to keep the Local Property Tax at a 15% higher rate to generate about €1.4 million helped the council when it presented a case for the need to allocate funding for the transfer.

The Kilkee councillor stressed when the council made key unpopular decisions like this it has consequences and benefits, which shouldn’t be ignored.

SPC chairman, Councillor Pat Hayes stressed it was important to refute suggestions by some people that Shannon Heritage is a “basket case” because it is operating well and is providing a wonderful tourism product thanks to its hard working staff.

He pointed out a marketing programme to promote Shannon Airport to attract more tourists into Clare.

If the councillors had taken a decision to reduce the LPT rate, Mr Cleary confirmed the council would have to consider reducing public services to save €1.4 million. He added ratepayers would not be asked to contribute to funding the transfer.