MIDWEST TOURISM company Shannon Development has secured almost €6 million for the redevelopment of a 13th-century landmark castle in Limerick city.
Built in 1212, King John’s Castle stands on the banks of the river Shannon and is located in Limerick city’s medieval quarter.
The €5.7 million redevelopment project is scheduled to be completed by 2012 to coincide with the 800th birthday celebration of the castle.
Shannon Development chief executive Dr Vincent Cunnane said the essence of the project was to make the castle the core attraction, boosted by interpretative facilities and re-enactment.
“We will be introducing a wide range of new technologies and specialist multimedia techniques which will be used to bring the castle’s development and historical events to life within the context of improved exhibition, interpretation and visitor facilities,” he said.
“Our next step will be to secure a design consultant through a public tendering process.
“We intend to look for imaginative submissions from design consultants in the coming weeks,” he added.
A grant of €4.7 million was approved by Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport under the National Development Plan for the project. The balance, an estimated €1 million, will be met by Shannon Development.
Dr Cunnane said it was an indication of Shannon Development’s commitment to the future of Limerick. “This project puts a key priority on Limerick city as the centre of a strong Shannon region.
“Tourism is one of the drivers identified by Shannon Development to help us achieve this objective and this is why the redevelopment of King John’s Castle is vitally important,” he said.
It is hoped the redevelopment of the castle and the adjacent Castle Lane complex will have the potential to significantly increase visitor numbers to Limerick city.