Newsletter for members of Skål International - Dublin

The Good News Column...Leisure Park to Employ 1,200Up to six million visitors a year are expected to visit a €430million tourism and leisure park that includes a year-roundskiing facility and concert arena being proposed for Dundalk.The project, the first of its kind in Ireland, is being proposed fora site adjacent to the Dublin-Belfast motorway by InnovativeLeisure Systems Ltd, who say it will create more than 1,200full-time jobs.Looking around the CornerFáilte Ireland CEO, Shaun Quinn, stressed that as Irelandgrapples with the enormity of the current economic climateand plots its way to becoming a smarter economy, it isimperative that it does not neglect sectors such as tourismwhich have delivered time and time again.Mr Quinn was speaking at Fáilte Ireland’s National TourismConference which was held at the Royal Hospital inKilmainham. He pointed out that there may be some reasonsto be optimistic, saying:‘Thankfully, the news from the tourism marketplace is nowslightly more positive than a few months ago. So far this year,Fáilte Ireland has hosted over 500 international trade buyersfrom 23 countries to tie down business with Irish tourismoperators for next year and beyond.From these meetings we can detect that interest is Ireland is asstrong as ever, our competitive position is improving and thereare definitely signs of those elusive green shoots, particularly inNorth America. This is welcome news for the 18,000 tourismbusinesses across Ireland and the 200,000 plus people theycollectively employ.’Damian for World Sommelier TestChile is the destination for Damian Corr, manager of the CellarRestaurant and Bar in the Merrion Hotel.Damian took part in the National Sommelier competition,organised by the Irish Guild of Sommeliers to select the Irishcandidate at the World Sommelier Competition in Chile in2010. Six sommeliers competed in a day long event which tookplace at the Four Seasons Hotel.Major Leisure Centre for TipperaryPlanning permission is being sought for a €460 millioncultural, sporting and leisure development featuring a casinoand new all-weather racecourse on an 800 acres site at TwoMile Borris, Co. Tipperary.The development, called the Tipperary Venue is proposed byThurles-born Richard Quirke, who has been involved in theCarlton Cinema site on O’Connell Street Dublin. He is alsoa major shareholder in Dublin Pool and Juke Box Co, whichruns the ‘Dr Quirkey’s Good Time Emporium’ arcade onO’Connell Street.The developer estimates that 1,000 jobs would be createdin building the facility, which would eventually create 2,000full-time jobs. The project would however depend onlegislation being passed to legalise casinos.Dublin architect Brian O’Connell, who designed theTipperary Venue, said it would include a 500-bedroom, fivestarhotel; a 6,000sq m casino; an all-weather racecourse; agreyhound track and a golf course.It would also include an underground entertainment centrewith a retractable roof capable of holding 15,000 peoplewhich would be ‘the rural equivalent of Dublin’s 02complex’.Viking Wall DisplayAn underground section of Dublin’s 900-year-old HibernoViking city wall has been put on public display for the firsttime at the Civic Offices at Wood Quay.The wall was discovered during excavations of the site inthe late 1970s and early 1980s in preparation for theconstruction of the new Dublin Corporation, now DublinCity Council, buildings.The wall was at the time earmarked for demolition andstorage off site, but in the end it was left in situ in thebuilding’s basement in an area used until recently formotorbike and bicycle storage.Measuring just under 20 metres in length and 4.3 metres inheight, the section of wall is now visible through a glassviewing platform, with each stone bearing the identifyingnumber painted on when it had been due for demolition.The wall is part of the new Wood Quay Venue at the civicoffices which houses a conference and events space and anew permanent exhibition on the development of the city.The My City exhibition, which opened last week, allows thepublic to view plans for the city through videos andinteractive touch-screen maps. They can also record theirideas for the city or their views on plans via a web cam.Michelle Conaghan of Net Affinity and John Carty of DIT receive theirmembership certificates from President Kathryn Johnson at the Skål lunchin the Guinness Storehouse.8“To fellow Skålleagues everywhere Happiness,Good Health, Long Life, Friendship”Skål News is an e-zine for members of Skål International Dublin. Editor: Frank Corr. Photography: Aidan R. Doyle. Design: Desktop Print and Design.