The CEO of Shannon Group remains optimistic that the transfer of the management of Shannon Heritage sites can be completed in the coming months.
It follows a call from the Mayor of Clare for the Taoiseach to clarify remarks he made in the Dáil that Clare County Council should “get on with” the process.
Mary Considine has also expressed confidence that passenger numbers at Shannon Airport can return to pre-pandemic levels within the coming three years.
Shannon Group’s CEO has echoed comments by the Mayor of Clare that a huge amount of work is being carried out behind the scenes to ensure the transfer of the management of Shannon Heritage sites without delay.
Councillor PJ Ryan yesterday called for clarity from the Taoiseach on his remarks that Clare County Council should “get on with” obtaining management of Knappgoue Castle, Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
The local authority is intended to take over the operation of the sites before the end of the year but Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine says there’s a real willingness from both parties to complete discussions and the legal process quickly.
She says they remain focused on the coming summer season, so that whoever is operating the sites is in a good position to grow footfall.
Mary Considine is also optimistic about the outlook for Shannon Airport this year.
She says they had hoped for a stronger recovery in 2021 following a devastating two years for the aviation sector, however the onset of the omicron variant impacted schedules late last year and early this year.
Transatlantic services resume next month while next week will see the return of the Heathrow service to full strength and the Shannon Group CEO is hopeful that traffic will return to up to 70% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.
