Shannon Group’s tourist experiences and attractions company, Shannon Heritage, has lodged a planning application with Clare County Council, which will see them undertake the single largest investment at the recently announced Irish tourist attraction of the year, since it first opened its doors in 1963.
The multi-million euro investment to rejuvenate the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park visitor experience, subject to planning approval and funding from Fáilte Ireland, is one of the largest projects of its nature planned in Ireland.
Outlining the project Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director of Shannon Heritage said: “Over the past year we have set out an ambitious growth strategy which has already begun to succeed with the addition of new attractions to the portfolio. Today’s milestone at our flagship is a further step towards our goal to significantly increase visitors to our region and Ireland. It is a hugely exciting transformational project which will significantly enhance the storytelling, visitor interpretation and overall immersive experience of 800 years of history. Our staff and visitor feedback have been central to the vision of the ‘new’ Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and this, we believe, will create a major attraction of scale on the Wild Atlantic Way.”
The most ground-breaking aspect of the project is that that it will deliver Ireland’s first ever 4-D 270 degree visitor experience. A new building constructed for this purpose will awaken the senses and transport visitors through the ages in an incredible sensory, immersive and historically accurate experience, a real ‘wow factor’ before they enter a rejuvenated Bunratty Folk Park.
All 25 houses in the 19th century Folk Park and the 15th century Castle at the site will get an uplift in interpretation as well as improved landscaping and new creative play elements and navigation. All aspects of the project are being held to the highest principle of integrity of the existing Folk Park – both historically and aesthetically. Historical content is being sourced from both the National Folklore Archive in UCD and the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick.
Additionally, in order to support the dispersion of visitors around the Folk Park and increase dwell times for tourists in Co. Clare, Ireland’s largest Butterfly House is planned for the Regency Walled Garden at the opposite end of the Park to the Castle. Prepare for your heart to flutter in the domain of the most colourful creatures on earth, a unique immersive experience for all the family.
Niall O’Callaghan added: “With just under 400,000 visitors a year, we are building on this success with the support of our sister company, Shannon Commercial Properties, with an ambition to reaffirm Bunratty Castle and Folk Park status as a ‘must visit’ destination. As early innovators with the launch of the world-famous medieval banquet at Bunratty in 1963, this project will again position Shannon Heritage as true innovators in Irish tourism. The investment will result in a significant increase in visitors and the various elements of the project will appeal to a mass audience from the culturally curious to great escapers with authenticity at its core.”
Subject to planning approval and funding approval from Fáilte Ireland, it is anticipated work will commence in early 2020 with a view to completion in early 2021.
Commenting on the project Mary Considine, Deputy CEO, Shannon Group said: “Since 2014 Shannon Group has been on a journey, one that has seen us invest almost €85 million across our Group companies at Shannon Airport, Shannon Commercial Properties and Shannon Heritage. We are committed to further investment and as our Shannon Heritage portfolio grows, we want to ensure that we continue to offer customers the best experience possible. The implementation of our masterplan for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will ensure that we give tourists even more reasons to visit our region and fly Shannon.”
Notes to Editors:
About Shannon Group plc
Shannon Group plc is a commercial semi-state company established on the 5th September 2014. The Group, which employs more than 600 people, operates and manages three companies: Shannon Airport, Shannon Commercial Properties and Shannon Heritage, and through its IASC brand promotes the growing aviation cluster at Shannon.
About Shannon Heritage:
Shannon Heritage, a Shannon Group plc company, is Ireland’s largest commercial operator of tourist attractions and experiences and was one of the first companies in Ireland to develop and run attractions and evening entertainments. Shannon Heritage employs up to 300 people in the peak tourist season at its portfolio of seven day visitor attractions and four evening entertainment experiences. Since 2012, total visitors to Shannon Heritage attractions have doubled, increasing from 460,000 in 2012 to 924,718 in 2018, up 4.3% on 2017 results.
Shannon Heritage daytime visitor attractions:
- Bunratty Castle and Folk Park; King John’s Castle; Craggaunowen; Dunguaire Castle; Malahide Castle & Gardens; GPO Witness History Visitor Centre and Newbridge House and Farm.
Evening Entertainments:
- Shannon Heritage operate medieval banquets at Bunratty, Knappogue and Dunguaire Castles; a Traditional Irish Evening at Bunratty Folk Park. www.shannonheritage.com