This article is from page 15 of the 2011-10-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE development of a world class tourism attraction would bring more people to Ennis and offer a boost to the town centre, a meeting as heard.
That was the view of John O’Connor of Custy’s music shop who claimed the lack of a major tourist attraction is hurting Ennis. Mr O’Connor, who was a founding member of the Shannon Wings campaign that attracted 5,000 online messages of support for Shannon Airport, was speaking at public meeting in Ennis last week.
Mr O’Connor said there were sociological and economic reasons behind people’s decision to spend money at large shopping developments rather than in city / town centres.
He said that in his view the other issue affecting Ennis was the lack of a “major tourism attraction”, which he said would ensure people spend time in the town centre.
Relocating the Irish Cultural Pavillion to a two-acre site adjacent to Ennis Garda Station and the Franciscan Friary has been put forward as the type of initiative that could bring more tourists to Ennis.
The pavilion plan, which was one of the most popular attractions at Expo Park in China, was suggested by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG). Cllr Flynn recently asked Ennis Town Council to identify a suitable site in advance of making an application to locate the building and its exhibition permanently in Ennis.
According to a report by former Town Clerk Eddie Power, the site could be considered for major cultural / heritage attraction.
The report states, “The lands are zoned ‘Commercial 1 Town Centre’ in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014 as varied, where it is the policy of the council to allow for a broad range of facilities and services which fulfill a function as a focus for both the community and public transport.”
The report continues, “In this respect the lands are open to consideration to a variety of uses, residential, office, retail etc.
This would include a tourism / cultural venture having regards to the proximity of the site to the Franciscan Abbey.
“Development restriction may apply with regards to the impact any development would have on the adjacent Franciscan Abbey to the west of the site. Archaeological examination would be required,” Mr Power adds.
Mr Power states the lands are being offered for sale at a price “reflecting their commercial development”.
The report concludes that subject to issues surrounding access and traffic management being satisfactorily resolved, “it could be considered a suitable location for a major cultural heritage attraction”.