*Knappogue Castle.
“TEETHING problems” have been encountered but Knappogue Castle is on course to open to the public for bookings as a five-star residence in the spring while lack of investment at the Shannon Heritage sites was prevalent ‘for years if not decades’.
Activity has increased at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen and Knappogue Castle since the inception of Clare Tourism East. In May 2023, Clare County Council and the Shannon Airport Group signed a historic agreement marking the official handover of the Clare assets of Shannon Heritage to the local authority.
Eighteen months on from his appointment as General Manager of Clare Tourism East, Stephen Hanley detailed the increase in visitors and activity at the sites. Clare Tourism is responsible for Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the Inis Cealtra /Holy Island Experience.
Speaking at the first meeting of the Tourism Development SPC, he outlined, “Bunratty is essentially the parent of the sites, booking, visitor management and revenues are typically generated there”. He admitted, “Over the last few years if not decades, it has not had investment”. Light entertainment has been added at Bunratty in the guise of jaunting cars while a medieval quarter is another new touch.
“Lack of investment meant key areas were reduced in terms of employees which meant it was difficult to bring everything up to a five star service but we’ve reacted very positively to that so we’re on track,” he said.
Over the past twelve months, a relaunch of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park has incorporated a focus on Craggaunowen which according to Hanley “was seen as the poor relation in the county. We’ve added in an animation team and new projects are due, visitor numbers are up thirty six percent on last year, we opened slightly earlier this year but we’ve had a great bounce on previous years. We had our fiftieth anniversary with two events which went down extremely well”.
According to Stephen “Craggaunowen has had little exposure over the last (few) decades, all of the selling and marketing of Craggaunowen is under the Bunratty parent, it is much more proactive, we didn’t have resources to go selling to schools and groups but that is up and running”. The castle has reopened here with further works planned, both a playground and park are in the pre-planning stage. Signage is also going to increase while transporting some animals from Bunratty to Craggaunowen “has gone down very well”.
Knappogue Castle has been hosting more banquets that would ordinarily have been held at Dunguaire Castle but that is now under the ownership of Galway County Council. He forecasted 1000 additional guests for Knappogue “for this year, next year and the following year”.
Five-star accommodation will open in Knappogue in the spring, he said, “it will be a high end touch to accommodation” when it operates as a private residence. “It has gone through a number of hands in the last few years but we’re confident of opening a five-star residence, there have been some teething problems but we’re confident of having everything completed by March to open to the public in April or May”.
Demand is already strong from overseas to stay in Knappogue Castle when it does open, he stated. “We’ve done a number of overseas trip for Inis Cealtra but Knappogue is generating the most interest, I’m confident it will be an important jewel in the crown”. The design of the walled garden and formal gardens are to be replicated with a contractor already appointed.
Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said, “it is very exciting to see all that is going on, it is amazing. I’m very proud of all that has been achieved in Clare County Council to bring tourism forward”.
