The investment by the government of €10.5 million in major tourism projects for at King John’s Castle and the City Quays has been welcomed by Kieran O’Donnell, TD, Deputy Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Innovation with Special Responsibility for Enterprise & Employment, as both projects are scheduled for completion in the summer and are seen as timely boosts for the cities. “These are most worthwhile investments, and ones that I welcome wholeheartedly. It is crucial that we continue to invest in Limerick in ways that stimulate job creation. These investments will create 120 jobs between them in the construction phase, while the investment in King John’s Castle will create 17 full-time jobs when it is completed.
“Furthermore, both projects will have significant spin-off effects that will benefit the economy here in Limerick for years to come. It is essential for Limerick to have a comprehensive and up-to-date visitor offering to underpin tourism here. Both of these developments are very exciting and encouraging.
“These investments complement the vigorous efforts we are making to attract Foreign Direct Investment into Limerick, and the measures we are taking to stimulate job creation from within the local economy in Limerick.
“King John’s Castle is an icon of Irish heritage, and the redevelopment work will give access to new areas of the battlements to visitors. New types of tours will be given by guides in period costume, which will also include a battle campaign tent and blacksmith‚s forge from a 17th century siege. The cost of the redevelopment work is €5.7 million, with €4.7 million coming from Failte Ireland and €1 million from Shannon Development.
“The redevelopment of the City Quays will include a walking trail between Shannon Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge, a new boardwalk and extensive landscaping. It will provide visitors with new views of Limerick Riverside City. The total cost of this project is €4.8 million, with €3.15 million coming from Failte Ireland and €1.65 million funding from Limerick City Council. This is an important project for the city. It will complement the work done on O‚Callaghan and Clancy Strands, which has contributed significantly to the Riverside City.
“My No. 1 priority is the creation of jobs in Limerick, and I will continue to campaign for jobs in Limerick and for further investments of this kind.
Reproduced with Kind Permission of the Limerick Post. http://www.limerickpost.ie/
