Management contracts are signed for Fingal attractions

SHANNON Heritage, Ireland’s largest tourist attraction operator, has signed an agreement with Fingal County Council to manage the operation of Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate.

The agreement will also see the company continue to manage Malahide Castle and Gardens for a further five years.

Shannon Heritage will have responsibility for the day to day running of Newbridge House with the primary focus being the development of a fully immersive interactive experience at the farm, a corporate offering, a new retail store in the visitor centre and the redevelopment of the house.

Newbridge House and Farm currently employs 10 staff and has welcomed over 70,000 visitors.

Shannon Heritage took on the management of Malahide Castle and Gardens in 2012. The popular tourist attraction has since undergone development including the opening of a new visitor ventre in the old castle courtyard and seen the opening the botanical walled garden to the public for the first time.

Since 2012, Malahide Castle and Gardens has grown its visitor numbers to 180,000 and currently employs 30 staff.

Commenting on the agreement, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin, said: “Shannon Heritage is an excellent partner for Newbridge House and Farm. As a board member of Malahide Castle and Gardens, I am confident that they will assist Fingal County Council with our goal of growing visitor numbers to Newbridge House and Farm and will continue the excellent work that has been done so far with Malahide Castle.”

Niall O’Callaghan, MD of Shannon Heritage, stated: “We are delighted to be taking on the operation of Newbridge House and Farm which we see as a natural fit with our existing portfolio of seven attractions nationally where we have doubled visitor numbers in just four years. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fingal County Council and growing visitor numbers.”