Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - Kilfenora (Clare) Interpretative Centre.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

76 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the people of Kilfenora, County Clare, are seeking a reassurance regarding the status of the interpretative centre at Kilfenora and that they fear job losses; and whether the agreement regarding the joint promotion of Kilfenora and Mullaghmore will go ahead as promised.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

Kilfenora Display centre managed by Comhar Conradh na Boirne has been in existence for over 20 years and has provided some interpretation of the Burren throughout that period. Visitor numbers in recent years have been in the region of 40,000. The centre is now in need of substantial investment if it is to provide the quality of product needed to retain visitor numbers and the management sought a grant in 1989 from Shannon Development to upgrade the centre.

Shannon Development made a grant available but the KDC were unable to provide matching funds and that grant was withdrawn in 1992. I understand Shannon Development have indicated a much larger grant will be made available in the next Structural Funds programme and that the Comhar are hoping to receive much of the matching funds from the National Heritage Council. When the Visitor Centre near Mullaghmore was first proposed, the Office of Public Works and Shannon Development and the Comhar were concerned at the possible effects of the new centre on the viability of the Kilfenora Centre. Shannon Development urged the Comhar to bring forward and upgrade their development proposals so that Kilfenora could take advantage of the increased number of visitors to the area. The Office of Public Works have co-operated with this and have had a number of meetings with the Comhar and Shannon Development.

As a result of this co-operation, it has been proposed that the centre at Mullaghmore and Kilfenora should operate in a complementary fashion. The Office of Public Works centre at Mullaghmore at the edge of the natural area will concentrate on the natural story of the Burren and the Kilfenora Centre, in a built up area close to the outstanding Kilfenora Cathedral, will concentrate on the cultural story of man in the landscape.

The Office of Public Works have agreed to give the concession to operate the tea-rooms at the Mullaghmore Centre to the Comhar. This will give up to 15 seasonal jobs. It has also been agreed that all school-tour business, which is a significant part of the Office of Public Works target market — particularly in the shoulder season — would be booked and routed through Kilfenora. The Office of Public Works and the Comhar have also agreed that there should be joint marketing and sign-posting to both centres.

The Office of Public Works have agreed to assist the Comhar in developing audio visual displays and in preparing their plans for development.

Talks are continuing on the question of joint ticketing.

I believe the arrangement proposed will ensure the continuation and development of the Kilfenora Centre and that these arrangements represent a good example of the State co-operating with local initiatives to maintain existing jobs an to create new ones.