HKPB Scientific, a provider of superior biocompatible coatings for medical implants announced recently that it has set up in Shannon Development’s Tipperary Technology Park in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
A joint tourism campaign, by Ryanair and Shannon Development, which focused on promoting Shannon in the UK and Germany attracted over 160,000 visitors to the region and resulted in 240,000 ‘bednights’ and over €19 million in tourism spend for the Shannon region this year.
“The response has been phenomenal and we have visitors coming from all over Ireland to enjoy our Santa Experience. We are particularly delighted that these additional visitors are giving a much needed boost to local businesses in the area. We know from our booking office that many of our visitors are coming from all parts of Ireland and that they are staying overnight in Clare and making a shopping trip of it as well. Our Santa experience is actually sold out, in fact we have 500 families on a cancellation waiting list,” says John Ruddle, Chief Executive, Shannon Heritage, the Shannon Development tourism subsidiary company who manage Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and a range of other day visitor attractions and evening entertainments around the Shannon Region.
Pictured on a visit last week to the MABS office in Shannon Development’s Tait Business Centre are (l to r): Peter Power TD Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs; Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development Regional Development Manager, Limerick; Minister Mary Hanafin TD Minister for Social and Family Affairs; Minister Willie O’Dea TD., Minister for Defence; George O’Sullivan, Shannon Development, Manager Tait Business Centre; Yvonne Bogdanovic, Co-ordinator of Limerick MABS.
Shannon Development Chief Executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane, today welcomed the announcement by the Tanaiste Mary Coughlan that Microsemi would create 315 new jobs over the next 18 months, at its operations facility in Shannon Development’s Gort Road Business Park in Ennis, Co Clare, with the support of Government through IDA Ireland.
Well known TV personality Kathryn Thomas is pictured here in Thomond Park Limerick working on a TV travel feature for the RTE ‘No Frontiers’ holiday programme. Limerick is expected to get a boost as a result of the programme which will promote Limerick as a holiday destination. It will show the diverse range of superb accommodation in the Limerick area, as well as a spa and wellness element, shopping, culture visitor attractions and sporting facilities including the new Thomond Park Stadium, and will feature Kathryn soaking up the rugby atmosphere.
Shannon Development has appointed Paddy Burke Builders Ltd from Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, to undertake a €3.5 million contract to refurbish Rinneanna House (formerly Aviation House) at Shannon Free Zone in Co. Clare.
Key Dublin based business people originally from Offaly and Tipperary were among those who attended a briefing in Dublin recently organised by Shannon Development. The event was organised to enlist the help of key business and well know figures originally from Counties Offaly and Tipperary to promote the Counties as a location for business and tourism investment.
Shannon Development are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Limerick International Sevens Tournament (LIST) that will see clubs from England, Scotland, Wales, France, Canada , Australia and Ireland taking part in a festival of Rugby Union and Rugby League in Easter 2009 from April 10th – 12th. Limerick has long being known as the spiritual home of Irish Rugby and with the new 26,000 capacity Thomond Park Stadium as its centrepiece the Limerick International Sevens offers touring clubs a fantastic opportunity to sample the passion of Limerick rugby in a competitive and social environment. The Limerick International Sevens Tournament was initiated by Shannon Development as part of their sports tourism strategy and will take place for an initial five year period during which over 12,000 players will take part in an event that will be worth €20 million to the region.
Shannon Development, the Regional Tourism Authority for Ireland’s Shannon Region recently welcomed UK visitors Graeme Blackmore and Tim Manhire to Limerick City. They were winners of a special Shannon Development Competition organised as part of a major UK tourism promotion in Cardiff last May organised around the Heineken Cup Final.
Speaking in Shannon today, John Brassil, Chairman of Shannon Development, warmly welcomed the announcement by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, that the Irish and US governments have agreed to full pre-clearance facilities for all US bound flights from Shannon.
The tremendous role played by Tidy Town’s Committees throughout the Shannon Region in enhancing the environment was recognised at a celebration last night (Monday 3rd November ‘08), when these committees were officially presented with a range of Tidy Towns Awards by Mr Michael Kitt T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, SuperValu Director John O’ Callaghan, the overall competition sponsor, and Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development.
Shannon Development today warmly welcomed the presentation of the draft masterplans for the comprehensive regeneration of Moyross / Southill / St Mary's Park, on the Northside and Southside of Limerick City, by the Limerick Regeneration Agencies. Welcoming the publication of the Draft Masterplans, Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, expressed “the strong support of Shannon Development for the work of the Regeneration Agency to date, and particularly for the work the Regeneration Agencies will carry out over the next ten years”.
Key representatives from Shearings Holidays, one of the UK’s largest tour operators were in the Shannon Region this week as part of a familiarisation trip organised by Shannon Development and Tourism Ireland UK. Shearings carry almost 900,000 passengers in 2007 across its range of air, cruise, rail and coach tour holidays. Shannon Development is working closely with Shearings to help them grow their coach tours business to the Shannon Region. While in the Region the group stayed in the West County Hotel Ennis and samples town life. They attended a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle and also visited the Cliffs of Moher, and the West Clare Railway.
Internationally more people than ever are booking holidays on-line. To help tourism businesses in the Shannon Region learn the latest tips in websites marketing Shannon Development, in conjunction with internet marketing specialists Digino, is organising a special E-Marketing seminar to help Limerick tourism trade members boost their business via the net. The event will take place at the Radisson Hotel Limerick on the 28th October ‘08.
Shannon Heritage has added a new dimension to their annual Halloween Holiday Horror event at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, this Bank Holiday Monday (27th October, 2008) from 1.00 pm to 5.00pm. In addition to their spine chilling programme of scary happenings, a new 18th century swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean influenced show, complete with scary pirates, an inflatable pirate ship and a mesmerising laser lights show, is being unveiled at the event.
There were plenty of celebratory bubbles, just not the champagne kind, for husband and wife team Carrie-Anne and Chris Barry, Directors of Ennis based De Barra Publishing Company which has just won a prestigious national UK Award.
Visitors to the Shannon Region are being offered a chance to become an action hero or heroine as part of a novel tourism promotion being undertaken by Shannon Development. Exciting ‘Bond’ Breaks in hotels throughout the Shannon Region are on offer for the months of October and November! As part of the action packed holiday experience visitors can choose from a range of themed breaks included in these are; cruising, mountain biking, surfing, and pamper breaks.
A major expansion for Tipperary Technology Park (TTP), Thurles, Co. Tipperary, has just been announced by Shannon Development. The Company has revealed that it will undertake work on a new 21,500 sq. ft. 2-storey office building at the Park for which planning permission has recently been secured. Construction work on the new building is expected to commence before the end of the year, with the build anticipated to take 12 months to complete.
John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development, has just announced that Shannon Development is to proceed with a major expansion at Kerry Technology Park (KTP) in Tralee. The expansion will involve the construction of a new high-tech building at KTP, a 3rd building at the Park. The decision to proceed was taken by the Board of Shannon Development at their board meeting in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Speaking today from Kerry Technology Park, Tralee, Dr. Cunnane said, “Shannon Development’s future focus will be to identify the critical development needs for the Shannon Region, and to lead and encourage the development of a range of initiatives to position this region as a premier location for business and living.”
Mary Coughlan, T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched a new ‘trail blazing’ initiative at the National Ploughing Championships in Kilkenny this week (Tuesday 23rd September ’08). The Tánaiste launched a new tourism website as part of the Shannon Region Trails Programme, a €2 million Shannon Development initiative aimed at establishing the Shannon Region as a world-class destination for walking, cycling, water-based and other outdoor activity pursuits.
Harvest traditions from over 100 years ago will be brought to life by farm workers at Bunratty Folk Park in Co. Clare. As part of the event vintage threshing machines will be used to demonstrate the art of threshing as Shannon Heritage, the Shannon Development tourism subsidiary, celebrates a traditional 19th century Harvest Day at Bunratty Folk Park from 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm on Sunday 28th September ‘08. This family day organised around the traditional harvest will show what life was like in an educational and fun way.
Planning to make a good impression at the National Ploughing Championships which takes place in Farmley, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny from 23rd to 25th September is Paul Ryan, Regional Marketing Manager with Shannon Development, as he gets in some practise at Bunratty Castle, and Folk Park, Co. Clare prior to the Championships. Shannon Development aims to increase it's participation at this years championship, which attracts over 165,000 visitors from all walks of life. The company will be showcasing new Shannon Region tourism products and visitor attractions and enterprise property solutions.
Kathryn Thomas, the RTE’s ‘No Frontiers’ holiday programme presenter was in Limerick this week filming the city and surround area for a tourism feature for the new series of the programme which will run from January to April next year.
Limerick City Gallery of Art is hosting two new major exhibitions from Friday 12th September ’08, by Turner Prize winner Simon Starling and by socially engaged Dublin based artist, Michael McLoughlin. The Exhibitions are being opened by Olivia Loughnane, Shannon Development Director of Research and Communications, and will run daily at the Limerick City Gallery of Art in Pery Square Limerick until 16th November, admission is free.
Marie Lynch, Shannon Development, Manager of Kerry Technology Park (KTP) Tralee, was in Galway today to promote KTP, as a world-class business and technology location and show that it is possible to work locally and operate globally.
Shannon Development Chief Executive, Vincent Cunnane, warmly welcomed the announcement that the Shannon Region has won a range of awards in this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition including four National Awards. Birdhill, Co. Tipperary was crowned Ireland's Tidiest Village, and Ennis, Co. Clare won the award Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre and also the National ‘Le Gaeilge’ Award. Lissycasey, Co. Clare also won a national title for Best New Entry in their category. The Region also secured three gold medals awarded to Birdhill, Co. Tipperary, and Ennis and Kilrush, Co. Clare. Ennis won a total of seven awards in this year’s competition.
The new Mid Shannon Tourism Board, appointed by the Taoiseach, met in the Shannon Region for the first time today at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe/Ballina and expressed their satisfaction with the level of interest shown by potential developers in the scheme. Launched by An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen TD., on 27th June ’08, the new tax relief scheme offers a unique opportunity for tax-incentivised investment in a range of tourism products in areas adjacent to the middle and lower reach of the River Shannon, which in the Shannon Region includes counties Clare, Tipperary, and Offaly. Other counties included in the Scheme are: Galway, Westmeath and Roscommon.
Images of counties Tipperary and Limerick will be seen by millions of television viewers when TV coverage of the 2008 Tour of Ireland cycle race are beamed round the world on Thursday 28th and Saturday 30th August.
A Shannon Development team led by Chairman, John Brassil, has just returned from a US tourism promotion at the Irish Fest in Milwaukee (14th to 17th August ’08), where Mr. Brassil reported a huge surge of interest in Ireland from US holidaymakers.
Two Irish wolfhound’s puppies, the world’s largest breed of dog, and a Falabella, the smallest and one of the rarest breeds of horses in the world, are set to be a major attraction with visitors at the forthcoming Market Day in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on Sunday August 24th ‘08.
John Brassil, Chairman of Shannon Development, is leading a tourism drive in the US this week whose aim is to highlight Limerick as a tourist destination at the 22nd annual US Milwaukee Irish Fest which runs from 14th to 17th August ‘08.
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The beauty of Doonagore Castle, near Doolin in Co. Clare, has been captured on canvas by rising Limerick artist, Hugh Mc Mahon, a graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design. This new painting was unveiled recently by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, at the reception area of Shannon Development’s Head Office in Shannon Town, where it will be on public view.
Margaret Ritchie, the Northern Ireland Social Development Minister, was in the Shannon Region recently on a fact-finding mission to examine housing and urban regeneration. During her visit she met with Shannon Development, and the Limerick Regeneration Agencies.
John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development, has announced the appointment of R & L Walsh Construction Ltd from Castleisland, Co. Kerry, to undertake the construction of Shannon Development’s new €3 million E-Town project in Tarbert, Co. Kerry. This new development will see the construction of 8 live/work homes tailored to suit business people who would like to work from home.
The ancient pagan festival of ‘Lughnasadh’ is being celebrated by Shannon Heritage this August bank holiday weekend at the tourism company’s Craggaunowen visitor attraction near Quin in Co. Clare. The event will be staged by Mogh Roith Historical Re-enactment Society whose members are from Limerick and Clare. The group have many years of experience as historical interpreters and living historians.
During his visit last week to Clare and Limerick Noel Dempsey T.D., Minister for Transport, accepted an invitation from Shannon Development for an update on the Company’s regional development activities to promote tourism and industry in the Shannon Region. The Minister was briefed by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development, and John King, Heritage & Tourism Director, Shannon Development.
Shannon Development welcomed the recent €720,000 tourism grant aid package announcement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, towards the development of 4 new cycling projects in counties Clare, Limerick and South Offaly valued collectively at €1 million. This announcement by the Minister is part of an overall €4.3m grant aid package for 27 projects countrywide under the NDP Tourism Infrastructure Programme administered by the National Tourism Development Authority, Failte Ireland.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms Mary Coughlan TD., announced 50 new jobs for the Shannon Free Zone, when launching the Shannon Development 2007 Annual Report in Shannon today (Monday, 14th July 2008)
Shannon Development - 2007 Key Result Areas
Golf Visitors to Limerick will be given the ‘red carpet’ treatment thanks to a spectacular new golf offer devised by Limerick hoteliers and supported by Shannon Development the regional tourism agency for the Shannon Region.
The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen TD., has just launched a new tax relief scheme for certain tourism facilities in the mid-Shannon area which includes areas in counties Clare, Tipperary, Offaly, Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath.
King John’s Castle in Limerick City is preparing for a royal visit shortly when King Arthur, the legendary figure of the Knights of the Round Table, will grace the Castle with his presence on Friday 11th July at 7.30 pm.
The new Chief Executive of Shannon Development, Dr Vincent Cunnane, met the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia McCarthy, at the Company's Head Office in Shannon today (18 June 2008).
Shannon Development has just signed a tourism deal for the Shannon Region which could see an additional 100,000 bednights from Europe and the US over the next two years. The development company is supporting an initiative by Clare Resorts and international tourism company MAP Destinations who have joined forces to develop a new ‘Invite Ireland Programme’ a tourism web based initiative.
“A ‘Yes’ vote for the Lisbon Treaty referendum is vital for Ireland. By supporting this Treaty we will be supporting Ireland’s position as a global economic player and failure to do so will result in this position being eroded and undermined,” says John Brassil, Chairman Shannon Development, Ireland’s only regional development agency.
Ireland’s largest ever Viking invasion will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, from Saturday 28th June to Sunday 29th June ’08 (inclusive). Over 100 Viking warriors from all over Europe will invade the popular tourist attraction for what promises to be a magical Viking Festival of mayhem and fun. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt.
Speaking on taking up his new appointment, Dr Cunnane said: “It is a great honour to take on the role of Chief Executive of Shannon Development, which has a long history of innovation, development and delivery. I look forward to working with the staff and board of Shannon Development, not only to continuing the Company’s unique developmental ethos, but also to taking the Company and the Region to the next level of economic and social development”.
The magical atmosphere around last Saturday’s (24th May ’08) Heineken cup final is set to yield a second win for Munster. This time it will be a tourism dividend for the Shannon Region tourism industry thanks to a tourism campaign undertaken by Shannon Development and Tourism Ireland UK. With all eyes on Cardiff last weekend the tourism agencies used the occasion to get a strong ‘Limerick’ tourism message out to UK and French fans attending this showcase event.
Tipperary Technology Park received a boost when it was promoted at a special Shannon Development Knowledge Network Conference held recently at Adare, Co. Limerick. The Conference pulled together all five of Shannon Development’s world class business parks in the Shannon region which are developed specifically to attract and support knowledge-intensive enterprises. The aim of the Conference was to allow key business people from all five business parks to meet each other and network by pooling information, knowledge and expertise.
Shannon Development and Tourism Ireland UK have launched a major tourism promotional campaign around this weekends Heineken cup final in Cardiff (Saturday 24th May ’08). With all eyes on Cardiff this weekend the tourism agencies are using the occasion to get a strong ‘Limerick’ tourism message out to UK and French fans attending this showcase event.
A new €3 million Business and Technology Park with the potential to create 1,000 new jobs was officially opened in Roscrea today by Máire Hoctor T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.
Young golf fans 9 year old Kieran Morrissey and his 5 year old sister Jean from Adare, Co. Limerick are pictured here at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort flying the flag for the forthcoming Irish Open Golf Championship which is due to run from 15th to 18th May ‘08.
Shannon Development organised for members of the Shannon Region Tourism Industry to attend the recent launch in New York of the ‘Discover Ireland’s Wonderful West’ campaign. The campaign is being undertaken by Tourism Ireland in association with Shannon Development and other tourism authorities along Ireland’s West Coast. Over 300 key US travel trade, carriers and media attended the New York launch, a €3 million marketing campaign designed to boost business to the Shannon Airport Catchment Area post-Open Skies.
THE search is now on for the third group of Street Ambassadors to promote Limerick to visitors this summer. Limerick became the first city in the Republic to pioneer the Street Ambassadors project in 2006. These roving guides help tourists by giving them information on the best places to visit, eat and shop.
This year’s Irish Open Golf Championship at Adare Manor in Co. Limerick is expected to generate an estimated €15 million in revenue for the local economy in Limerick and the surrounding area. To maximise the visitor appeal of the event Shannon Development has launched a major tourism marketing campaign and has announced its sponsorship of the prestigious Irish Open for a second year. The Company has put in place a number of key marketing initiatives as part of its support for this major golf tournament which takes place at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort from 15th to 18th May ’08.
Shannon Development welcomes the announcement today (Monday 28th April ’08) by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Seamus Brennan, T.D., of a €3.8 million grant package to support a range of tourism projects around the Shannon Region. To benefit are; Lough Derg Twomilegate with a €1.8 million grant, Terryglass is getting a €400,350 grant, Shannon Harbour is receiving a €1.19 million grant, and Lough Gur has been granted €417,746.
An Italian invasion is expected in Tipperary next year as a result of the recent visit of top Italian travel media to the area. A TV crew from Sky TV in Italy were among the group of top travel media who took part in the familiarisation tour of the Tipperary area. As a result, a one hour TV documentary on the Shannon Region including footage from North Tipperary will be broadcast to a nationwide audience in Italy.
US and Canadian visitor numbers to the Shannon Region are expected to increase this year thanks to a deal just signed by Shannon Development with CIE Tours International. The deal will see the doubling of tourism marketing expenditure in the US. This move will involve targeting US customers through a major e-marketing campaign during the coming year.
Shannon Development is calling on young budding computer enthusiasts to enter a new competition to undertake a broadband content design project linked to school learning activities and suitable for uploading to the Internet. The Competition is open to all secondary schools in the Shannon Region.
Shannon Development Chairman John Brassil met recently with members of Newcastle West & District Chamber of Commerce to brief them on the Company’s activities in the area. Mr. Brassil outlined Shannon Development’s renewed regional development focus which is seeing the Company intensify its work with local groups around the Kantoher and Castlemahon plants, and Glin Development Association, to help realise the full economic potential of the West Limerick area. The Company also outlined its activities to promote tourism in the West Limerick area including e-marketing and product development initiatives.
Shannon Development warmly welcomes today’s decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the development of a €500 million Liquefied Natural Gas terminal by Shannon LNG on Shannon Development owned land between Tarbert and Ballylongford in Co. Kerry.
As part of Shannon Development’s €2 million trail blazing initiative announced last year to enhance the Shannon Region’s reputation as a world-class destination for walking, cycling, water-based and other outdoor activity pursuits, the Company is offering tourism accommodation providers around the Shannon Region an opportunity to participate in an extensive international web based marketing campaign which they will be undertaking in the coming months.
Shannon Development has just opened the door to Ireland’s first E-Town house in Miltown Malbay Co. Clare. The €4 million E-Town project at Miltown Malbay is the first of its kind in Ireland and construction work on the 12 combined home/work units in the scheme have just been completed. The E-Towns initiative will allow people to work from home and has been designed by the Company as an innovative way of helping people find a better quality of life. This unique integrated development combines living and office space with high-tech broadband access.
Shannon Development is lodging a planning application this week with Kerry County Council for a new 2,500 m2 office building at Kerry Technology Park (KTP), Tralee. If successful this will be the third Shannon Development building at KTP and will comprise self-contained office suites ranging from 84m2 to 465m2.
Shannon Heritage is opening its Craggaunowen visitor attraction with an ‘egg-citing’ Easter event. Craggaunowen near Quin in Co. Clare tells the story of the arrival of the Celts in Ireland. To mark the start of the tourist season Shannon Heritage has arranged for the Easter Bunny to make a special guest appearance there on Easter Sunday, (23rd March ’08).
Shannon Development has announced the appointment of Gerry Slattery as Regional Development Executive for Limerick City and the National Technology Park (NTP). As part of its Corporate Strategy, Shannon Development is putting a strong focus on the ongoing development of Limerick City as well as the future development of the National Technological Park at Plassey.
Denis Duggan, Manager of Shannon Development’s Birr Technology Centre, was in Cork recently to promote the Technology Park as a world-class business and technology locations and show that it is possible to work locally and operate globally.
Shannon Development welcomes the announcement today by Aer Lingus that it will operate daily direct flights from Shannon to Boston, daily direct flights from Shannon to New York and daily flights to Chicago via Dublin.
Visitors and locals in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, will be able to access high speed tourist information at their fingertips thanks to a new Tourist Information Kiosk which has just been launched by Shannon Development.
To kick start the 2008 National Tidy Towns Competition in Tipperary, Shannon Development and North Tipperary Co. Council are inviting Tidy Towns Committees throughout the County, to attend an information seminar to help improve their participation, and chances of victory in Ireland’s biggest environmental competition. The event will take place at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 19th March ’08 at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
A campaign to brand Limerick as a Riverside city received a boost today with the official opening of the first phase of the restoration of the disused Park Canal in the City by Councillor Kieran O’ Hanlon, Deputy Mayor of Limerick.
Over 7 million Austrians will be reading and listening to reasons why they should holiday in Co. Limerick thanks to a major tourism promotion undertaken by Shannon Development, Austrian tour operator group Blaguss Reisin and Tourism Ireland. This follows the visit to Limerick this week by a group of high profile tourism travel journalists from top Austrian newspapers, magazines and national radio.
Shannon Development today announced the appointment of Dr Vincent Cunnane as Chief Executive Designate. Dr Cunnane, who is currently Vice President Research at the University of Limerick, will become Chief Executive in June this year.
Shannon Development Board members held their monthly meeting in Birr today in Shannon Development’s offices in the Birr Technology Centre. The meeting was one of a series of board meetings that the Board members are holding at regional centres to update Board members at first hand on the Company’s activities throughout the region.
To kick start the 2008 National Tidy Towns Competition in Co. Clare, Shannon Development is inviting Tidy Towns Committees throughout the County, to attend an information seminar to help improve their participation, and chances of victory in Ireland’s biggest environmental competition. The event will take place at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 5th March ’08 at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.
Shannon Development Board members held their monthly meeting in Birr today (22 February 2008), in Shannon Development’s offices in the Birr Technology Centre. The meeting was one of a series of board meetings that the Board members are holding at regional centres to update Board members at first hand on the Company’s activities throughout the region.
Speaking today (Thursday 21st February ’08) at the launch of the new marketing plan in the Clarion Hotel, Limerick, John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development said, “Shannon Development is delighted to be working with key partners in devising a comprehensive marketing plan for the €3 million funding secured by Government to address the challenge of Open Skies. We are pleased with the plan which is focused at areas which have the best prospect of generating additional tourism business.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen TD., was at the Shannon Development Birr Technology Centre today (Friday 8th February ’08) to launch a new investment brochure for Birr, Co. Offaly, prepared by Shannon Development with the support of Birr Chamber of Commerce, Offaly County Council and Birr Town Council.
Shannon Development, The Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region is delighted to announce that it has secured the All Ireland Corporate Games for Limerick for a minimum period of five years commencing June 20th – 22nd 2008. ‘The 2008 Games’ will see close on 2,000 competitors drawn from businesses and community groups around the country, complete in 19 different sports in Limerick city and the surrounding area and is worth an estimate €30million to the local economy over five years.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D., today (Tuesday 5th February 2007) announced in Shannon, Co Clare, that Zimmer Holdings Inc, a global leader in medical devices, is to establish a new manufacturing operations base at the Shannon Free Zone. The Irish operation, with an investment of up to €50m in the first two years, will focus on the manufacture of Zimmer branded knee and hip products, and is expected to create 250 new high quality jobs supported by Shannon Development over the next five years. Winning this prestigious investment is the result of a significant collaborative marketing campaign undertaken jointly by Shannon Development and IDA Ireland.
“Dr Brendan O’Regan was a unique and visionary leader, and his many achievements will be lasting testimony to the hugely significant role he played in the development of this Region” said John Brassil, Chairman of Shannon Development today (Sunday, 03 February 2008).
A major domestic tourism marketing campaign aimed at enticing Irish visitors to holiday in Limerick has just been launched by Shannon Development at the Holiday World travel show in Dublin .
RTE Radio One’s Ryan Tubridy will present his radio programme from Emma’s Café in Birr tomorrow morning, Wednesday Jan 30th ‘08.
Over eighty top Dublin based event, conference, golf and tour operators were treated to an enchanting evening in the Radisson SAS Royal in Dublin last Thursday when Shannon Development & Meet Limerick Shannon Conference & Sports Bureau hosted a NARNIA themed evening in conjunction with Limerick based event management company Fun Ireland.
Commenting on the Government announcement of a €3 million tourism fund this year for Open Skies a Shannon Development spokesperson said, “It is good that we have certainty and commitment for a dedicated fund which will allow us to move forward without delay and use the funds to implement a top class North American tourism marketing campaign...
Kilrush Creek Marina, in Co. Clare, has just won a national award at the Local Authority Members’ Association Awards ceremony (LAMA) held in the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Saturday 19th January ’08. LAMA - represents elected councillors nationwide. Among those attending the ceremony was the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley TD., and the awards were presented by Sharon Ní Bheolain of RTE.
Shannon Development, the Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region, has enlisted the help of royalty in the form of Brian Boru the ancient High King of Ireland to assist them promote Shannon Region as a holiday destination at the forthcoming Holiday World show in RDS Dublin from 24th to 27th January ’08.
Family holidays in Co. Clare are expected to get a boost this week when the County is featured on ‘No Frontiers’ TV holiday programme which will be broadcast on RTE One at 8.30pm on Tuesday 22nd January ’08. Lahinch, Ennistymon, and Doolin will all feature on the new series of the top Irish TV travel show, now in its 10th year.
Shannon Development chief executive, Kevin Thompstone, is calling for the urgent rollout of a €4 billion telecommunications infrastructure nationwide. Speaking at the announcement of the Company’s 2007 end of year results. Mr. Thompstone said, “To be truly competitive in the knowledge economy, Ireland urgently needs to have ultra high speed broadband available in every part of the country. Clients from major international corporations will not wait a few years for the private sector to provide what is a vital piece of public communications infrastructure, they will simply vote with their feet and invest elsewhere.”