Agreement reached for Malahide project

UP to 20 new jobs are to be created as a result of an historic agreement recently signed between Malahide Castle & Gardens Ltd and Shannon Heritage.

The agreement is in relation to the operation of Malahide Castle and Gardens visitor attraction, which is currently undergoing a

?¬10.5 million redevelopment.

The agreement will see Shannon Heritage, Ireland’s largest operator of tourist attractions, expand its operations out of its traditional home in the Shannon Region for the first time ever.

Malahide Castle & Gardens Ltd is the company formed by Fingal County Council and charged by the council to oversee the investment which is being made in the Demesne.

Shannon Heritage has been appointed as the operator of Malahide Castle and Gardens. They will have responsibility for the day to day running of the redeveloped castle including the new museum and interpretation area on the ground floor.

The company will also operate the new visitor centre in the old castle courtyard and the walled botanic gardens, which will open to the public for the first time in September along with the refurbished castle and the West Lawn area.

The remainder of Malahide Demesne, including the parkland and public recreational facilities, will remain under the control of Fingal County Council.

During the peak season Shannon Heritage employs 280 people at their current attractions. This figure is set to rise once the new Malahide staff are recruited.

PJ Howell, chairperson of Malahide Castle and Gardens Limited, said the e10.5 million redevelopment will establish Malahide Castle and Gardens as one of the major visitor attractions in the country.

“In addition to the iconic castle and Talbot Botanical Gardens, we are adding a new restaurant and retail outlet which will be operated by AVOCA,

? stated Mr Howell.

“We are delighted to be working with Shannon Heritage as operators of the visitor facility with their renowned marketing and management expertise.

?

Mr Howell said Malahide Demesne has always offered a unique cultural experience and a natural tourist amenity for locals and visitors.

“The redeveloped and expanded offering opening soon will make this somewhat undiscovered treasure a truly international visitor attraction,

? he added.

John Ruddle, chief executive of Shannon Heritage, said:

“We are delighted to be taking on the operation of Malahide Castle and Gardens which we see as a natural fit with our existing portfolio of day visitor attractions and evening entertainment venues around the Shannon Region.

“Fingal County Council is doing a superb job in the redevelopment of the castle and we look forward to building on this work to grow visitor numbers, not only to Malahide but to our entire portfolio.

?