The Leas Cathaoirleach (Deputy Mayor) of Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council, Councillor Pierce Dargan, has voiced support for plans to include a major oceanarium in the Sandyford Business District.
This ambitious project, known as Oceanéire, is seeking the development of an 8,500 square metre oceanarium in the greater Dublin area.
It will become the largest indoor visitor attraction on the island of Ireland.
Oceanéire is being spearheaded by tourism entrepreneur Keith McDonnell whose group currently employs 150 full time staff across a number of well known Dublin attractions and tourism businesses, including Dublin Sightseeing Tours, the Irish Whiskey Museum and the World of Illusion.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Pierce Dargan, who represents the Glencullen-Sandyford area, would like to attract the project to the Sandyford area as it could provide a major boost for both tourism and the local community.
“What Dublin’s tourism offering and local population could greatly benefit from is a world class indoor attraction that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike 365 days a year.
An oceanarium would bring a unique educational and tourism offering not only to our area of Glencullen – Sandyford but to the whole of Dublin while celebrating Ireland’s deep connection with the sea and creating significant employment opportunities.”
Keith McDonnell said the vision for Oceanéire is to create a landmark destination that combines tourism, education, and marine awareness.
“We believe an oceanarium in a location such as the Sandyford Business District could become one of Ireland’s most exciting attractions a destination focused on education, conservation and immersive visitor experiences.
“The project hopes to attract up to 700,000 domestic and international visitors annually while providing long term economic and employment benefits for the wider region.”
Though multiple sites in the greater Dublin area have been identified and the project is still at the planning stage, Sandyford Business District has a number of key strengths that make it a highly attractive option and both the Oceaneire team and Cllr. Pierce Dargan are actively working to progress the project.
The OceanÉire team is calling on stakeholders across Irish civic, business and political life to back the initiative as it enters its critical site – selection and planning phases. For more information and to explore the vision, visit www.oceaneire.ie