Dublin Airport’s monopoly could be tackled by rebranding Shannon Airport to put emphasis on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Inspired by an editorial which featured in The Clare Echo at the end of November, Cllr Paul Murphy put pen to paper on a motion which gives “a massive opportunity to rebrand the airport”. Stuart Holly’s editorial stated, “A rebrand becomes necessary when a business needs to change, expand, evolve and communicate a clearer vision for the future of the airport, city or country”.
It suggested “renaming Shannon would be no tricky task. There must be some barriers with Fáilte Ireland that won’t allow for this idea of using the Wild Atlantic Way to our distinct advantage, because otherwise why wouldn’t the board of Shannon Group jump on a gravy train that’s going to attract millions of tourists directly through their doors every year”.
Cllr Murphy’s motion read, “In a bid to boost numbers using Shannon International Airport, and to endeavour making the most of the potential that the” Wild Atlantic Way” brand has for the western seaboard, I am requesting that Clare County Council call on management at Shannon Group to consider rebranding the airport accordingly”.
In Áras Contae an Chláir on Monday, the Fine Gael councillor said, “I was reading an editorial in one of the local papers in the last few weeks and the editor was making the point on what the Wild Atlantic Way brand has. It is a massive opportunity for us to rebrand the airport, it is not something we have to do but I’m saying we should consider it. The chances are people haven’t heard of Shannon but they have heard of the Wild Atlantic Way. I’m talking about the whole western seaboard, Dublin has the monopoly and we have to tackle them”.
His Fine Gael colleague Cllr Johnny Flynn supported the motion but suggested that the Wild Atlantic Way be included as a tagline to the airport. Independent councillor, Gerry Flynn was against a rebranding that would result in Shannon being replaced completely by The Wild Atlantic Way. “I had an issue with Cllr Murphy’s motion especially as a resident of Shannon but I would support what Cllr Johnny Flynn has suggested, the Shannon name is synonymous with Clare”.
“I would be anxious to keep the Shannon name”, Cllr Murphy replied. The request will now be sent to the management of Shannon Group for consideration.
