Shannon Development

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Shannon Development is an important regional development body for the Shannon Region of the Republic 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.

[edit] Responsibility

Shannon Development was set up as Shannon Free Airport Development Company by the Irish Government 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 Techological 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.

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.