*The Shannon Shamrock.
FOURTEEN years after the Shannon Shamrock in Bunratty closed its doors, the site is still sitting empty, with no clear plan for future development.
The people of Bunratty are appealing to Clare County Council to provide them with clarity regarding the status and progress of the derelict Shannon Shamrock site.
Back in 2020, The Clare Echo reported that Clare County Council were considering applying the derelict sites act to lead to an improvement. Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are responsible for dealing with derelict sites in their area. They can use certain powers to enforce the clean-up of these sites such as prosecuting owners who do not comply with notices served, make compulsory land purchases and carry out necessary work themselves while charging the owners for the cost.
In its prime, when owned by the well-known Dublin-based Fitzpatrick family, the Shannon Shamrock Hotel was one of the most successful in the region. It was popular with tourists and airline crews. It was one of three thriving hotels which housed the thousands of tourists who flooded the village all year round.
The crumbling stone building is now described by Bunratty locals as “ugly” and “an eyesore in the centre of Bunratty.” The locals’ main point of concern with the neglected site is not to do with aesthetics but actually what the Shannon Shamrock could bring to the town if it were to be restored.
As the home of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, the village welcomes thousands of holiday goers each year, with the numbers steadily increasing and reaching over 344,000 visitors to the historical sight in 2023.
Bunratty business owners believe that if the Shamrock Shannon were to be restored to an operating hotel, tourists visiting the area would be more inclined to spend significant time in the village and County Clare as opposed to passing through the area to visit the castle.
Michael Dennehy, owner of JP Clarke’s in Bunratty and Knox’s Pub in Ennis, says, “People are staying in Ennis, they are staying in Limerick and coming in and out to visit the castle. They’re in, they’re out then and they’re gone. There’s plenty of demand for hotels in Bunratty, we just need to use it.”
Dennehy added, “You could have 200 people staying there [in the Shannon Shamrock] and 200 people would go out into the bars and restaurants and shops, tourist attractions and that’s gone.”.
Vice chairman of the Bunratty Local Development Association (LDA) Mike Rohan also expressed frustration at the lack of progress in regards to the derelict site, “Without a doubt, something needs to be done regarding the two hotels, to be put back up and running again with the tourists and bring it back to where it was years ago”.
The Bunratty LDA and local businesses are trying to highlight the need to redevelop the Shannon Shamrock into a usable amenity and are asking for clarity from the County Council on the status of this “very drawn-out project.”
Commenting on the support provided by local TDs, LDA chairman Kevin O’Connor said, “A strategy and a plan would be of great assistance, especially when you look at other competing tourist centres such as Adare, or Cashel or Blarney. You know, they’ve all made progress in recent years as primary tourist centres, and that progress from the powers that be is not evident here in Bunratty”.
While the property was listed for sale back in 2018, business owners are becoming frustrated with the years of waiting for clarity in regards to the status of the much-needed project. While trying to raise the issue of eliminating the “ugly site that’s been in the village for 14 years” those involved say they have had very little feedback and communication from the council.
“We have been waiting waiting and we are wondering why there hasn’t been a derelict site [status] put on it because it’s been going for so long at this stage,” added Mike.
