Tag Archives: Deirdre O’Shea

THE acting head of tourism in Clare is supporting the proposed development of an inflatable aqua park at a popular Ogonnelloe amenity area, writes Dan Danaher. West Lake Aqua Park has lodged a planning application with Clare County Council seeking permission for a new aqua park that will operate seasonally from May 1 to September 30 at Twomilegate, Ballycuggeran, which is situated a few miles from Killaloe. The aqua park will consist of an inflatable floating obstacle course, floating access pontoon, 20 foot container for check-in and 40 foot container for changing facilities including all associated works at Twomilegate. In a letter to the planning department, acting head of tourism, Deirdre O’Shea outlined this project will provide a new and dynamic tourism product in East Clare. It will, in turn, provide social and economic benefits to the region and to the local community in line with the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030, the Lough Derg Blueway brand criteria, the Shannon Tourism …

A DEEP crisis facing the tourism sector in Clare was acknowledged as a new plan was approved by councillors this week to guide the industry for the next decade. The role of tourism as the county’s largest indigenous employer was highlighted, with hopes expressed by some members that the authority might play a role in securing a national cultural centre for Clare. Outlining the impact of Covid-19 on tourism at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, Director of Service Leonard Cleary noted that the new plan had had to take account of the pandemic. Head of Tourism Deirdre O’Shea agreed that against that backdrop, the strategy was vital. “The local tourism economy is in deep crisis,” she said. “Having a strategy is more important than ever for the next ten years.” Ms O’Shea outlined the risk to the 12,000 jobs dependent on tourism, as well as to the €266 million generated annually by the sector. “The strategy is still …

THE newly formed Tourism Department of Clare County Council has launched, Experience Clare, a 2020 scenic calendar.  The calendar is specifically targeted at overseas markets and trade shows.  It is a business-to-business tourism promotional tool that will help drive business into Clare. It should be noted that the calendar is not intended for distribution to the general public, since it is targeted at overseas markets and domestic trade shows. Most copies are being sent abroad to drum up tourism business for Clare. Deirdre O’Shea, newly appointed Head of Tourism explained: “We can all be very proud of our county as presented in this calendar. It promotes Clare on a worldwide stage and the calendars are being distributed through Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland, tour operators and Holiday World Trades shows in both Dublin and Limerick”. Joan Tarmey, Tourism Officer with Clare County Council advised that “it is wonderful to see that good use is being made of images and video footage of the Banner …