*Families enjoying Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL have returned to negotiations over the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites with “a Cabinet decision” needed for the local authority to assume responsibility of the tourism attractions.
At the beginning of December, the County Council walked away from plans to take over the sites in the absence of meaningful financial support from the Government.
A sum of €15m had been sought by the local authority after submitting a 600 page due diligence report for the the transfer of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden, and the Cliffs of Moher Experience.
Speaking at a meeting of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) on Tuesday morning, the Council’s Director of Services for Rural Development, Leonard Cleary gave his most positive views since the process began that a resolution was in sight.
He stated, “We’re ready now for the transfer now to happen, we would like it to happen with Government approval before the summer. It has been a top priority for the last twelve months”.
Staff at the sites were offered assurances by the Director. “The jobs in Shannon Heritage are secure, the reason we took so much time is to ensure we could give job security to staff.
There will be “a challenging number of years ahead” if the deal works out, Cleary flagged. “We will continue with our business plan, part of that will include capital investment in site, that will take a number of years and it won’t be the flick of a switch. As you can detect, I’m optimistic and positive based on the work of the team”.
Discussions with Department officials are “almost at the final stage”, he said. “Some final items are to be fine tuned but we’re confident we’re at stage where the Government is ready to make a decision on a final package,” the Corofin resident said. “It was important we didn’t rush it or make a decision twelve months ago when the project was proposed”.
Council officials were now aware as to why a “delay occurred” and this was “really so everyone understood the facts around it”. Complexities regarding IT systems, land banks and trustees are believed to be among the issues to slow down the talks.
Cleary added, “At this stage, it is a Cabinet decision. I think it has been worth taking a little bit of extra time. We’ve noticed Shannon Heritage’s business has recovered since the pandemic. We’re seeing the green shoots post COVID in Shannon Heritage and that is very positive, we want to continue with that recovery”.
Cllr Pat Burke (FG) was pleased to hear the positive update from the Director. This view was echoed by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), “Your positive attitude today gives us great hope and encouragement. It is something we all want to get off the table and move on. Workers are looking for stability”.
A full briefing with elected members of the Council will take place prior to any decision on the endorsement and approval of a business plan, Cleary added. “Once we have a Government proposal for approval we will be going to the elected members, I expect that will be in the near future”.
