A spokesperson for Shannon Heritage employees says workers at its Clare sites want a concrete date for the transfer of its operations to the local authority here.
Clare County Council is continuing negotiations with several Government departments to transfer Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen to its portfolio.
Clare County Council has indicated it’s ready to begin operation and management of the three sites in this county once central Government provides them with the capital to do so.
Council CEO Pat Dowling has said it’s envisaged that revenue from the sites would cover their running cost after the initial transfer as pre-pandemic tourist levels return.
It’s understood negotiations with the Departments of Transport, Local Government and Tourism remain ongoing.
That’s despite the management of King John’s Castle in Limerick being successfully transferred to the local authority there this week.
Clare County Council has told Clare FM that ‘a national funding package’, understood to be five million euro for the first year and three million euro in each of the two years after, is necessary for the transfer to go ahead.
Cathoirleach of the Council and Sixmilebridge-based Independent Councillor PJ Ryan says substantial repair works on some of the sites need to be paid for.
The Chair of Shannon’s Municipal District meanwhile believes when the transfer is completed, the sites will transform in a similar vein to the Cliffs of Moher.
Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe believes the Council’s expertise will maximise the sites’ potential.
A member of the SIPTU workers committee says workers at the three sites remain in ‘limbo’ about the transfer and that ‘morale is low’ in the workplace as a result.
Dolores Marron, who’s a spokesperson for Shannon Heritage employees, wants a concrete date for when the process will be completed.
