Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, has been appointed to the Board of Shannon Airport Authority by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD.
Shannon Heritage has launched two new Christmas events at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, to meet the growing demand for pre Christmas entertainment.
Shannon Development is launching a major tourism marketing campaign to boost the number of holidaymakers taking part in activity and adventure holidays in the Shannon Region.
Shannon Development has announced its sponsorship of Limerick’s pioneering Street Ambassador programme which will see Limerick’s roving tourist guides back on the Streets of Limerick during the winter period.
Sports legends Keith Wood, Packie Bonner and Peter Clohessy have signed up to become Ireland’s first Sports Ambassadors. The new Programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, was launched (Tuesday 24th November ’09) in Limerick in a bid to grow the number of sports events in the Shannon Region.
Welcoming the news that County Clare tourism cycling routes have been voted in the world top ten of the Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2010’ guide, Flan Quilligan, Shannon Development, Tourism Product Development Manager said,” We are delighted that Co. Clare has been named in the top ten super cycling routes in the world by the Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2010’ guide. This is a testament to the amount of work that has gone into the development of the tourism cycling product in County Clare in recent times.”
Shannon Development today (Monday 23rd November ’09) congratulated Doonbeg Golf Resort on winning the European Golf Resort of the Year from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
De Barra Education, based at the Shannon Development Information Age Park in Ennis, Co. Clare, has been appointed exclusive Irish Distributor for the Linguaphone Group, the world-leading provider of self-study and classroom-based language courses.
The inspirational work of Tidy Town’s Committees throughout the Shannon Region in enhancing the environment was applauded today (Monday 16th November ‘09), at the Shannon Region TidyTowns award presentation ceremony held in Bunratty Folk Park Co. Clare.
The vital contribution Regions can make to Ireland’s national recovery was the main theme to emerge at a Shannon Development Conference today (Friday 6th November ’09) in Thomond Park Stadium Limerick, which brought together national and international experts in the field of regional development to chart future directions.
Over 1,000 entries received in new 'Holiday Snaps' photo competition
Photo of Dromineer, North Tipperary, wins international competition
Tralee based entrepreneur Mike Fitzgerald CEO of Altobridge has been commended for his win in last night’s (Thursday 22nd October ’09) televised Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Dublin.
“It time to get real about balanced regional development and not just to pay lip service to the issue. As we face a population explosion in the next 20 years, now is the time to invest in a range of initiatives to achieve balanced regional development and ensure an ability nationwide to absorb, and more importantly capitalise on, this population growth” says economist Jim Power.
There are celebrations in Kerry Technology Park this week for CEO Mike Fitzgerald and his team at leading mobile communications company Altobridge, who will compete in the finals of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Dublin this Thursday (22nd October ’09).
Shannon Heritage has added a new dimension to its annual Halloween Holiday Horror event at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, which this year takes place on Bank Holiday Monday (26th October ’09) from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. In addition to their spine chilling programme of scary happenings, visitors can expect to be thrilled by a Michael Jackson tribute dance performance of his famous song “Thriller”. Also new this year is the chance to get up close and personal with an amazing talking head!
The BBC series “Three Men in a Boat”, produced by Liberty Bell Productions in London, is to be filmed in Ireland. The crew will travel by boat from Dublin along the River Shannon culminating in a visit to Limerick.
An insightful EU survey carried out in 24 regions from 13 countries shows that regions have a crucial role to play in economic recovery.
The EU estimates that €100 billion is wasted every year because of energy inefficiencies, but this may become a thing of the past as Ireland is to lead a major new green energy initiative to help industries across Europe become more energy efficient.
Shannon Development today (Friday 11th September ’09) expressed its disappointment with the announcement by CityJet of the cessation of their Shannon/ Paris air service with effect from 24th October ’09.
The first two projects under the Mid Shannon Tourism Investment Scheme administered by Shannon Development and Fáilte Ireland, have been given the green light today (Monday 14th September ’09) by the Board of the Mid Shannon Tourism Investment Scheme.
Shannon Development assemble expert panel to help guide Regions to future success. An increased emphasis on regional action will speed Ireland’s economic recovery. This is the message that will be conveyed at a forthcoming national ‘Dynamic Regions’ conference being organised by Shannon Development.
Three new walking routes for North Clare were launched today (Thursday 30th July 2009), by Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in conjunction with The Walks Scheme and Fáilte Ireland’s Walkers Welcome Initiative.
Viking Tournaments and Robin Hood style archery competitions to be a new feature
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, will once again be the venue for Ireland’s largest ever Viking invasion which will take place at the popular visitor attraction from Saturday 27th June to Sunday 28th June ’09 (inclusive). Over 100 Viking warriors from all over Europe will storm Bunratty 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.
“Strong regions are vital for national economic recovery. Shannon Development is working to mobilise the full potential of the Shannon Region, with its pivotal position on the western seaboard, to contribute to this recovery and stimulate future growth,” said Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, speaking at the publication of the Company’s 2008 annual report
World famous US cyclist Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France, was in the Shannon Region recently and took time out to sample some of the Region’s new cycle trails.
The delights of the Shannon Region as a holiday destination will feature on a new TV3 holiday series which airs this weekend, Friday 26th June at 8.00 pm. The series is called ‘Something for the Weekend’ and TV celebrity Amanda Byram is the guest presenter for the Shannon Region programme.
Shannon Development recently met with an influential US business group.
Bunratty Folk Park, Co. Clare is the venue for a new Summer Concert Series announced this week by Shannon Heritage, to enhance their evening entertainment programme. The concert series, titled “The Bunratty Folk and Variety Club” is being presented in association with Ennis based Production 63. It comprises six concerts in June and July featuring a mix of entertainment from traditional Irish music to comedy. The concerts mark a major step forward in offering quality entertainment that will appeal to visitors and local people. Among the artists lined up to perform are Liadan, Andy Irvine, Sean Keane, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, comedian Jon Kenny, and Mike Hanrahan and Kieran Hanrahan and Tommy Hayes (names familiar to Stocktons Wing fans).
The Mayor of Limerick Cllr. John Gilligan today (Friday 29th May ’09) officially opened the restored Clancy’s Strand in Limerick City. The restoration of Clancy’s Strand is a collaborative project, administered by Limerick City Council, with a grant of €1.6 million secured by Shannon Development towards the €2.1 million overall cost of the project.
Clare cyclists urged to get on their bikes as new North Clare cycling hub launched
Four new cycle routes have just been launched in North Clare by Shannon Development and Clare County Council who have joined forces to encourage communities around Co. Clare to get on their bikes.
In a bid to make it easier for visitors to get accurate tourist information digitally, Shannon Development and North Tipperary County Council have today (Friday 22nd May ’09) become one of the first state agency and local authority in Ireland to use satellite navigation systems (Sat Nav) to map visitor attractions, activities and accommodation. In a unique partnership between the bodies, over 220 points of interest in the North Tipperary area have been made available to in-car satellite navigation systems.
Shannon Development is launching a major tourism marketing drive to promote three new North Tipperary looped cycling routes which were launched by Sports Council Chairman Ossie Kilkenny over the weekend (Saturday 16th May ’09) with a family cycle from Banba Sq Nenagh to Dromineer.
Shannon Development has had meetings with a top Swedish regional development company in a bid to forge business tourism links for the Shannon Region. Key representatives from the Halland Regional Development Council were in Co. Clare recently, and during their visit Shannon Development briefed them on their regional development activities with a view to establishing contacts.
Ms Mary Coughlan TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, has re-appointed Cllr John Brassil as a Boardmember and Chairman of Shannon Development.
Shannon Heritage, the Shannon Development tourism subsidiary company, has scooped a National ‘Excellence’ Award for the best dinner entertainment in Ireland. The award comes in recognition of their medieval banqueting operation at 15th century Knappogue Castle in Co. Clare.
Shannon Development, Nenagh Town Council, North Tipperary County Council, and North Tipperary Sports Partnership, have joined forces to encourage communities around North Tipperary to get on their bikes.
A household name is the United States, the Mr. Food programme is syndicated around the U.S. to over 300 television stations where it is part of daily news programmes which go out around the county. Almost 4 million viewers tune into the popular show daily. This is Mr. Food’s first visit to Ireland, and his fame preceded him when on arrival at Shannon Airport, US fans recognised him and recited his programme catch phrase “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!”
Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive of Shannon Development, announced the completion of a major reorganisation of the Company today. Making the announcement, Dr Cunnane said, “Since its inception over 50 years ago, Shannon Development has had to change and reinvent itself many times to meet the many challenges that faced the Company and the Region. Today, the Region faces very difficult economic challenges that require a radical response from Shannon Development”.
A band of pirates has invaded Lough Derg, Ireland’s largest pleasure lake on the River Shannon. The group who are normally found on the Caribbean high seas, made their way to the lake after hearing about a unique opportunity being offered by Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Tourism Authority, the Lough Derg Marketing Group and four cruise line companies, Emerald Star, Carrick Craft, Shannon Castle Line, and Silverline Cruisers, to beat the recession blues with a free River Shannon Cruise.
A group of influential travel journalists from all over Germany enjoyed a taste of Co Clare hospitality this week. Their trip was organised by Shannon Development and Tourism Ireland in Germany.
Mr. Tarrant, who is also a well known journalist and broadcaster, stayed in Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, to enjoy fishing and plans to write about his experiences for top UK publications, Mr. Tarrant is a well respected angler. Mr. Tarrant is a regular contributor to publications including ‘The Independent’, ‘Reflections Magazine’ and ‘OK Magazine’, which have combined circulations in excess of 1 million.
Shannon Development, Ireland’s only regional development agency, which operates in the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary, South Offaly and North Kerry, recently organised a special business function for Dublin companies and influential management representatives from the accounting, legal, banking and venture capital sectors. The event was designed to forge new business contacts for Shannon Development’s five Knowledge Network business and technology parks around the Shannon Region.
A feast of family entertainment is planned at two top visitor attractions in Co. Clare this Easter. To mark the end of the annual Lenten ‘chocolate famine’, Shannon Heritage has arranged for the Easter bunny to give out hundreds of Easter Eggs at their Craggaunowen visitor attraction near Quin in Co. Clare on Easter Sunday 12th April. They are also organising a Cartoon Capers event at Bunratty Folk Park on Easter Monday 13th April ’09
Over 150 delegates at a major international Bioengineering Conference held in Limerick recently, were briefed by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development’s Chief Executive, on Limerick’s appeal as a business location.
Shannon Development and Skal Shannon were founded 50 years ago this year by the late Dr Brendan O’Regan. To commemorate the occasion, the President of Skal International, Ms. Hulya Aslantas, and members of the Skal International Shannon branch, paid a visit Shannon Development’s head office in Shannon Town Centre.
Over 6 million Austrians will get read about the Limerick area as a tourist destination thanks to the recent visit (21st and 22nd March ’09) of a group of prestigious Austrian travel media who write for top publications all over Austria. The visit to the Shannon Region was organised by Shannon Development in conjunction with leading Austrian tour operator Blaguss Reisen.
Shannon Development has today reaffirmed its commitment to the economic development of North Tipperary by announcing the appointment of Glenman Corporation Ltd., Building and Civil Engineering Contractor, to undertake a €3.5 million expansion at Tipperary Technology Park (TTP) in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
There will be no school holiday this St. Patrick’s Day for students at the village school Bunratty, Co. Clare, in fact the school day has been extended to run until 5.00 pm on the 17th March. Commenting on the unusual event, the school’s headmaster Mike Glynn said that he can guarantee that the school will be full of smiling happy students on the day.
Two of the West of Ireland’s key economic drivers, Shannon Development and Shannon Airport Authority, have launched a joint marketing initiative aimed at boosting the region’s economy. The two companies have signed a marketing agreement which will see them work closer than ever on initiatives to get the best possible return for Shannon Airport and the West of Ireland.
The Chairperson of Comhdháil na Múinteoirí Le Rincí, Ms Paula Breslin, has welcomed the official confirmation that funding has been secured from Shannon Development for the All Ireland and International Irish Dance Championships for the next 2 years to be held at the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Shannon Development today briefed a group of influential MEP’s from the UK, Germany, Hungary and Romania. The group, members of the European Union Transport and Tourism Committee, were in Co. Clare on a fact finding mission.
Shannon Development, the regional economic and tourism development authority, is please to present “From Surviving to Thriving in 2009”, a half day conference in Birr Technology Centre tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3rd from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. providing practical actions to guide us all through these challenging economic times.
TV Celebrity, Amanda Byram is pictured here with John Ruddle Chief Executive, Shannon Heritage, enjoying a Medieval Banquet at the 15th Century Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare. Amanda is the celebrity presenter for a new TV3 travel series called "Something for The Weekend".
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms. Mary Coughlan T.D., today, announced that Intel will invest over €50 million in a major expansion, supported by Government through Shannon Development, at its Research and Development facility in the Shannon Free Zone in Co. Clare. The investment could grow Intel’s Shannon workforce by up to 134 new jobs over the next 4 years, bringing the total employment to approximately 300.
A major feature on Limerick as a holiday destination will be screened this Sunday 1st March ’09 at 7.30 pm on the top RTE One TV travel show ‘No Frontiers’. The feature will focus on Limerick’s appeal as a city breaks destination.
Shannon Development warmly welcomes the doubling of capacity by Cityjet on their Shannon to Paris route. This development will bring significant opportunities to grow tourism and industrial business for the Shannon Region and the west of Ireland.
Construction work on Shannon Development’s second E-Town project will begin this week at Tarbert in Co. Kerry. The €3 million investment by Shannon Development will see the development of 8 live/work houses on a 1.3 acre site on the Ferry Road in Tarbert, Co. Kerry.
“Shannon Development is delighted with the decision by Carlton Hotel Group to re-open the Castletroy Park Hotel. This is a great boost for Limerick, and great news that this level of jobs has been created in the area. The Carlton brand will ensure that the Castletroy Park Hotel continues to be an important tourism asset in the area. We would like to congratulate Fordmount and the Carlton Group on their decision and look forward to working with them in the future,” says John King, Assistant Chief Executive Shannon Development.
Commenting on the Ryanair decision to reduce its services at Shannon Airport, Dr Vincent Cunnane, chief executive, Shannon Development, said, “We are naturally disappointed at this news, however, we are fully committed to continuing to work with Ryanair and the Airport Authority to help grow traffic into Shannon”.
Shannon Development welcomed the announcement by Mary Coughlan T.D., Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the Mid West Taskforce team.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms. Mary Coughlan TD., today announced 50 new jobs for Shannon Free Zone in Co. Clare, and congratulated Shannon Development on 50 years of commitment to economic development in the Shannon Region.
Shannon Development-2008 Key Result Areas
Shannon Development Firsts and Milestones in Innovation in Regional Economic Development over the last 50 years
Shannon Free Airport Development Company, or Shannon Development, as we are known today is Ireland’s only regional development company. Its remit was formally inaugurated on 28th January 1959 when it was set up by Government to promote Shannon Airport and its hinterland. Its first Chairman was visionary and innovator Dr. Brendan O’ Regan.
In the 1940’s the Irish industrial landscape was very insular with for example protectionist tariffs for domestic industry in place. During the 1950’s however government thinking had changed and Ireland began to look outwards – with economic expansion with foreign investment being encouraged. The question of Ireland’s admission to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank was being mooted.
Shannon Development, the Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and South Offaly, will unveil its 2009 tourism marketing plans at a special Tourism Industry briefing being held in conjunction with Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for members of the Shannon Region tourism industry on Wednesday 21st January ’09 at the Radisson Hotel, Limerick.
Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Tourism Authority, will this week launch its new 2009 domestic tourism marketing campaign for Limerick and the Shannon Region at Holiday World travel show in the RDS Dublin on 23rd January ’09. Holiday World, which attracts an estimated 100,000 potential holidaymakers, will be the launch pad for a range of tourism promotions which will benefit Limerick city and county during the coming year.
Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, described the announcement today of 1,900 job losses at the DELL plant, in Shannon Development’s Raheen Business Park in Limerick, as a severe blow for the employees and their families. He said “Our immediate thoughts are for the employees affected and their families, and for employees in local firms that are dependent on Dell”.
The scenic beauty of the Burren Region will feature on Duncan Stewart's popular environmental series ‘Eco Eye’ on RTE One TV at 7.00 pm on Tuesday next 13th January 09. The Burren feature will look at the challenges of protecting this special area while facilitating the sensitive development of tourism in the area. Interviewees on the programme will include; Carol Gleeson, Project Manager, Burren Connect Project, John King, Tourism Director Shannon Development, Geologist Dr. Maria McNamara and John Murphy from Birdwatch Ireland.