Shannon Development
Encyclopedia
Shannon Development is an important regional development body for the Shannon Region
of Ireland
and encompases counties Clare
, Limerick
, and parts of Kerry
, Offaly
and Tipperary
.
Shannon Development works with, but is not an agency of Forfás
.
in 1959
to promote the airport and region. Shannon Airport
was built at a strategic point on the early transatlantic flying route, but with the age of the jet, its fortunes declined, in 1969 Aer Rianta took responsibility of the airport.
Shannon Development is responsible for a number of areas of development of the region including tourism and industry similar to IDA Ireland
- Bunratty Castle
is run by the agency. The agency is responsible for Shannon Free Zone
and National Technology Park on which the University of Limerick
is located. Shannon Town was also created and managed by the company until it was transferred to Clare County Council in 2004. This property transfer was the biggest property transaction in the history of the state.
Shannon Development also acts as a landlord for many companies in the region. Companies that qualify, pay rent to Shannon Development. In return the company can apply for Enterprise Ireland
grant funding through Shannon Development. This constitutes a symbiotic relationship.
The Government has reviewed the role of the agency in July 2005 and its functions are being realigned. Under the new arrangements, Shannon Development will have an enhanced regional economic development role with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the less developed parts of the Shannon region. It will also retain responsibility for the Shannon Free Zone industrial park. The existing enterprise support functions carried out by Shannon Development in relation to both indigenous and overseas enterprises will be assumed by the national agencies, Enterprise Ireland
and IDA Ireland
.
Shannon Region
The Shannon Region is an unofficial region in the western part of Ireland. The region includes Limerick City and County, County Clare, North Tipperary, North Kerry and parts of southwest Offaly. These areas are also known as Ireland's Mid-West Region. Some state agencies are loosely based around...
of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and encompases counties Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, and parts of Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
and Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
.
Shannon Development works with, but is not an agency of Forfás
Forfás
Forfás is the national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation in the Republic of Ireland. The agency was established in January 1994 under the and is run by a board appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to whom the agency is...
.
Responsibility
Shannon Development was set up as Shannon Free Airport Development Company by the Irish GovernmentIrish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
in 1959
1959 in Ireland
-Events:*January 7 - Dáil Éireann debates a motion that Éamon de Valera's position as controlling director of the Irish Press could be regarded as incompatible with his duties as Taoiseach....
to promote the airport and region. Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
was built at a strategic point on the early transatlantic flying route, but with the age of the jet, its fortunes declined, in 1969 Aer Rianta took responsibility of the airport.
Shannon Development is responsible for a number of areas of development of the region including tourism and industry similar to IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland is the agency responsible for industrial development in Ireland. The agency was founded in 1949 as the Industrial Development Authority and placed on a statutory footing a year later...
- Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle is a large tower house in County Clare, Ireland. It lies in the centre of Bunratty village , by the N18 road between Limerick and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport. The name Bunratty, Bun Raite in Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river. This river, alongside...
is run by the agency. The agency is responsible for Shannon Free Zone
Shannon Free Zone
Shannon Free Zone is a , international business park adjacent to Shannon International Airport, County Clare, Ireland which is 18 km from Ennis and 20 km from Limerick city. Businesses based on the site enjoy a very attractive tax package on their profits. This has served to attract a...
and National Technology Park on which the University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
is located. Shannon Town was also created and managed by the company until it was transferred to Clare County Council in 2004. This property transfer was the biggest property transaction in the history of the state.
Shannon Development also acts as a landlord for many companies in the region. Companies that qualify, pay rent to Shannon Development. In return the company can apply for Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish leading state economic development agency focused on helping Irish-owned business deliver new export sales. The core mission of Enterprise Ireland is to accelerate the development of Irish enterprises capable of achieving strong positions in global markets resulting...
grant funding through Shannon Development. This constitutes a symbiotic relationship.
The Government has reviewed the role of the agency in July 2005 and its functions are being realigned. Under the new arrangements, Shannon Development will have an enhanced regional economic development role with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the less developed parts of the Shannon region. It will also retain responsibility for the Shannon Free Zone industrial park. The existing enterprise support functions carried out by Shannon Development in relation to both indigenous and overseas enterprises will be assumed by the national agencies, Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish leading state economic development agency focused on helping Irish-owned business deliver new export sales. The core mission of Enterprise Ireland is to accelerate the development of Irish enterprises capable of achieving strong positions in global markets resulting...
and IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland is the agency responsible for industrial development in Ireland. The agency was founded in 1949 as the Industrial Development Authority and placed on a statutory footing a year later...
.
External links
- Shannon Development
- Enterprise Ireland
- IDA Ireland
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/printer-page.php?p=1538