New vista experience at Loophead Lighthouse

A NEW exhibition and visitor experience, using a mix of media to tell the story of Loop Head Lighthouse, is being designed to enhance the tourism offering at the landmark building. Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to visit the lighthouse on Friday, April 27, as his grandfather once worked there as a lighthouse ’keeper.

A NEW exhibition and visitor experience, using a mix of media to tell the story of Loop Head Lighthouse, is being designed to enhance the tourism offering at the landmark building. Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to visit the lighthouse on Friday, April 27, as his grandfather once worked there as a lighthouse ’keeper.
The exhibition, featuring a number of artefacts donated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, is being designed and installed by Shannon Images and will be in place in time for the tourist season. It is being jointly funded by Shannon Development and Clare County Council and will improve the tourism offering at the lighthouse, which is growing in reputation as a new and emerging visitor attraction in the county.
“Shannon Images were appointed after a very competitive tender process. We were looking for proposals, which contained a strong focus on the history and heritage of the lighthouse itself but which also explored other themes, such as the natural environment and social history of the area,” Rúairí Deane, Shannon Development tourism product development executive explained.
“Assessment of the tenders was undertaken jointly by Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Loop Head Tourism and an independent assessor.
“Shannon Images showed a particular enthusiasm for the project and provided the assessment team with a strong vision of how the visitor experience could be improved for the coming season,” he added.
The overall objective of the project partners is to develop the lighthouse as an anchor tourism attraction in West Clare, which has the potential to attract more visitors and generate additional revenue for the area.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes acknowledged the opening of the lighthouse to the public proved to be one of the biggest tourism success stories in the county in recent years.
“Through the assistance and co-operation of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Clare County Council and Shannon Development, we have been able to bolster the tremendous tourism potential of the West Clare peninsula, which in turn has further strengthened the wider tourism sector,” he suggested.
Shannon Images are currently undertaking a comprehensive research programme in consultation with all stakeholders and interested groups in order to produce an interpretation plan, which will enhance the overall visitor experience.
The 2012 exhibition elements will then be installed in time for the opening of Loop Head Lighthouse to the public in early summer.