Shannon Development

Although the idea of a Casino complete with immitation ‘White House’ in the middle of the ‘bog of allen’ and close to no major urban centre or transport hub was as daft as the ‘Bertie Bowl’ and underlined both the madness of the Celtic Tiger mentality and what political petitioning can achieve; a greatly amended use of the concept could be good for the economy.


Gambling is a huge industry, with a massive following (you need only look at the internet) – and many enjoy the atmosphere of a proper casino or complex of casinos.

What if:

• An Atlantic City - mini Las Vegas was permitted at a location immediately adjacent to the west side of Shannon Airport.

• The State retained the ‘freehold’ but gave permission to major international casinos to develop hotels & casinos on the site on say 50 year leases.

• International Groups develop their hotel/casinos at their own expense.

• Developers build all services.

• Government to charge substantial annual ground rent.

• If the government was to compel development to an outline plan, the complex could consist of 8-10 hotels around a series of roofed plazas etc.

• Complex could incorporate conference centre, concert venue etc

• A direct metro link from Shannon Airport Terminal to the complex.

• If marketed in the right way (Vegas Style) Shannon could become a hub for those travelling in and out of Europe from USA and further afield.

• Shannon would become a destination in its own right – there is not a great deal of difference in flight time between Boston & Vegas and Boston & Shannon.

• A substantial proportion of visitors would be from outside Ireland.

• Many would travel out of the complex on tours, golf trips etc.

The bonuses are:

• An uptake in construction work for a handful of years and remember our Fas legacy has left so many Irish with no skillsets other than construction.

• A large number of people employed when the complex comes online, including additional jobs at Shannon Airport and the surrounding area.

• The rebirth of Shannon Airport, rather than the current decline.

• There would be no requirement to impose a Shannon Stopover – they’d want Shannon as a destination.

• Great boost for Aer Lingus & Ryanair

• Increase in tourism to the West/South West.

• The spin off into everything from suppliers of foodstuffs and maintenance companies to mobile phone companies (roaming) would be huge.

There is no centre such as this in Europe and there is surely a market for this type of venue and I cant believe the penny hasn’t dropped with some of our politicians.

Picasso