Calls have been made for assurances that the financing of Shannon Heritage sites by the local authority won’t place other areas at a disadvantage.
The Chief Executive of Clare County Council has informed local representatives that it would take 20% of the Council’s total annual budget to take over management of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen.
Pat Dowling indicated that a once-off payment from government would be needed to sustain the transition, but that the return of pre-pandemic levels of tourism this year would fund their management of the sites going forward.
Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy supports the transition, but says a twin-track approach to vital projects in the county can’t be allowed to develop as a result.
