This article is from page 12 of the 2008-03-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
THE director of Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) and the chairman of Shannon Development come out in support of a planning applica- tion for a multi million euro tourism project on Lough Derg.
Last month, the €100 million plan was lodged with Clare County Coun- cil to convert a health spa formerly jointly owned by Paschal Carmody into one of the country’s leading resorts. The former Killaloe doctor and his wife, Dr Freida Carmody, sold Tinarana House – on the shores of Lough Derg – to Limerick devel- opers Joe Hanrahan and John Shee in the summer 2006 in a multi-mil- lion euro deal.
In the largest single investment in the east Clare economy in a number of years, the developers have stated that 200 permanent and temporary
jobs will be created when the centre becomes operational, while a further 200 jobs will be generated through the construction of the development.
The plan includes that the refur- bishment of TJinarana House; an 18-hole championship golf course designed by designer, Jeff Howes; a spa and wellness centre; a 32-bed- room aparthotel; multi-purpose ban- queting and function/conference fa- cilities; 155 two-bedroom short-term accommodation units and an eques- trian holiday village.
An Environmental Impact State- ment is being lodged with the ap- plication and Tinarana Ltd are esti- mating that the resort will contribute €30 million to the regional economy every year and €8 million to €10 million for the local economy.
Despite of the scale of the project, the planning application has received no planning objections from locals.
Instead, the director of the SAA, Martin Moroney, has taken the unu- sual step of making a submission on a planning application offering the au- thority’s support. In the submission, Mr Moroney states, “I wish to support the integrated tourism development proposed for Tinarana House.
“The development will enhance the tourism product offering in County Clare and will increase the attrac- tiveness of the region to international visitors. The project will contribute to the growth of Shannon Airport.”
Chairman of Shannon Develop- ment, Kerry county councillor John Brassil (FF) has also offered his written support for the project in a separate submission.
Joe Hanrahan said, “I believe that our proposals are a vote of confi- dence in the future of east Clare and the Lough Derg area.”
A decision is due later this month.