This article is from page 11 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
SHANNON Heritage has been hailed as the jewel in the mid west’s crown by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar – a ringing endorsement that’s set to ensure that the Shannon Development subsidiary is firewalled against any change to its operating structure during the implementation of a new semi-state blueprint for the region.
The government go-ahead for Shannon Heritage to continue with its historical mandate for operating visitor attractions in the mid west region was given by Minister Varadkar, after he signalled the break-up of the Shannon Development company that has operated in the mid west since 1959.
“We envisage with Shannon Development that of some its staff will transfer to the IDA, some to Enterprise Ireland and some to Fáilte Ireland and some becoming staff of the new airport body,” revealed Minister Varadkar.
“Shannon Heritage stands on its own,” he added, “because it’s a company that I’ve been hugely impressed with. It’s a company that’s growing outside the region as it has been given the contract for the management of Malahide Castle in Dublin. That shows what it can do”.
Shannon Heritage has responsibility for a host of visitor attractions in the mid west region, dating back to the medieval banquets that started at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in the early 1960s.
Banquets are also held at Dungaire Castle in Kinvara and Knappogue Castle in Quin, while its estimated that nearly five million people have enjoyed the mediaeval banquet experience over the past 50 years. Other Shannon Heritage attractions include Craggaunowen in Quin, Lough Gur in Kilmallock and the Brian Boru Heritage Centre in Killaloe.
“One thing the Shannon steering group will have to decide is whether Shannon Heritage becomes a subsidiary of Fáilte Ireland or a subsidiary of the new Shannon company,” revealed Minister Varadkar.
“My preference is that it would become a subsidiary of the new Shannon Airport company and would remain regionally focused,” he added.