Photograph: Paschal Brooks
SHANNON HERITAGE operated sites are likely to be open for the coming summer season but their long-term transfer to Clare County Council will be reliant on the local authority securing adequate funding.
An annual subvention of €3m has been requested from the Government by Clare County Council for capital works at the sites, a briefing between senior officials in the local authority and the county’s Oireachtas members heard on Friday.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the retail unit within Cliffs of Moher Experience would also transfer under the ownership of Clare County Council if a deal can be agreed. The sites have a total workforce of 150, 90 full-time and 60 part-time staff.
Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (FF) in the Dáil last week told Michael McNamara TD (IND) that the Council need to “get on with it” by acquiring the sites.
Engagement continues between the Council, the Government and Shannon Group regarding the potential transfer, Director of Rural Development, Leonard Cleary confirmed. He said the Council has hired “experienced specialist services to examine a range of topics including Human Resource, Operational and Financial, Property and Assets, Capital Investment, ICT, Legal and Taxation relating to the Shannon Heritage properties”.
Site visits have taken place with the Council to commence the recruitment process for a small number of tourism roles to ensure that adequate staff capacity is in place at the time of transfer. Funding must be secured for the takeover, Cleary stressed. “This is necessary to enable the local authority to manage operational and capital costs. These include staff costs, recovery from the impact of the pandemic, capital refurbishment /development and important conservation works. The local authority will not be in a position financially to proceed with the transfer until the national funding package is in place”.
In response to the Taoiseach’s remarks, Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling speaking on Monday offered assurances that they were working “almost full-time on the project for twelve months” with a full-time senior office assigned to the task. He expressed confidence of their ability “to deliver a good outcome for the county and Clare County Council”.
Dowling has met with staff of the Shannon Heritage sites on two occasions. “Unforeseen expenditure” cannot be placed at the Council’s door, Dowling stressed. He was confident the Government would oblige their request for funding. “Shannon Heritage is bigger than Clare, Minister O’Brien needs to know the picture is bigger”.
An update on the progress had been sought by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) who spoke of the concern experienced by staff. “In my opinion, Clare County Council are doing everything in their power to take the sites in charge, there’s obviously issues that need to be ironed out,” he stated while voicing surprise with the Taoiseach’s comments.
“Some of the sites are in huge need of repair,” O’Callaghan flagged. “Knappogue has lovely gardens but unless someone goes in there soon a sileage contractor will be needed”. The Kilmurry publican predicted it would be next year or September before a transfer takes place, “if the fund doesn’t come we could be in dire straits, King John’s Castle and Malahide Castle are nearly sorted but the Clare ones aren’t near it”.
Dowling’s comments were welcomed by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) while Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) questioned if the sites would be operational during the summer. In response, the Chief Executive said the sites have a start date of operation in March, “until all legal transfers happen Shannon Heritage operate the sites and plan to do so this season”.
