Funding awaited amid ‘ambiguity’ over Shannon Heritage sites

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 county. “We have already discussed the need for a new hotel here,” he said. “We are badly stuck in that regard. Galway and Limerick are picking up the slack. We’re unusual as a local authority in that we can move into private realm, but we have no minister at the top table to push these ideas.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor PJ Ryan. “We have quite a lot of tourist attractions that are not really beneficial to those who live beside them,” he said.

“We are in the process of taking over Shannon Heritage and any input that the locals can have in these attractions should be maximised. Some contractors could be sourced locally. We were in North Clare a couple of weeks ago to visit the Cliffs and heard from locals about the importance of a local benefits.”

Councillor Joe Garrihy also gave his support the motion. He also noted the Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland in September. “Can we use that to promote Shannon Airport?” he asked. “I passed through Newmarket-on-Fergus going to the Bridge on Saturday. Could there be more of an uplift in terms of roadside cutting in advance of the golf event. The event will be viewed on TV worldwide. The Irish Open in North Clare was embraced with gusto.”

Mr Dowling noted members’ comments. He said the Council was working with Dromoland Castle and would be looking at access routes. On the issue of community benefits from tourist attractions, he said: “I agree wholeheartedly that local communities must benefit. This is not unlike the ongoing discussion around the new Cliffs of Moher Strategy.”

In relation to the transfer of Shannon Heritage, Mr Dowling told members that nothing has changed. “We’re still working hard to try and secure a decision and funding from government,” he said. “That work continues.”

A written response to Councillor McMahon’s motion outlined the due diligence process that is ongoing on the transfer of the Clare sites.

“Clare County Council has engaged experienced specialist services to examine a range of topics including Human Resource, Operational and Financial, Property and Assets, Capital Investment, ICT, Legal and Taxation relating to the Shannon Heritage properties, namely Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the retail unit within Cliffs of Moher Experience,” it outlined.

“As a number of the Shannon Heritage Clare Sites include a number of Heritage assets, Technical Due Diligence (TDD) reports are required as part of the potential transfer of Shannon Heritage DAC to Clare County Council as a subsidiary company.”

The response said the diligence process is “nearing completion with a number of reports at final draft stage”. It referred to meetings with the Department of Transport and other Departments regarding the funding package required.

“From a Clare County Council perspective, the transfer of Shannon Heritage DAC cannot have a financial burden on Clare County Council’s budgeting process, the provision of statutory services or impact negatively on Clare’s Ratepayers,” the response stated.

The reply also said that dates on the transfer schedule needed to be agreed “as the ambiguity surrounding Shannon Heritage ownership is having a negative influence on operations and the morale of the 170 no. employees”.