The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Developmemt company to invest in ship project
September 1995
SHANNON Development has agreed to take an equity investment of £150,000 in Jeanie Johnston (Ireland) Ltd — the company which has been set up to develop the Jeanie Johnston project at Blennerville.
The £4.5m project involves the building of a replica of the original emigrant ship on the quayside of what was once the port of Blennerville.
The original Jeanie Johnston was a passenger/freight ship built in Canada in 1,847. The ship transported emigrants from Tralee to Canada and the USA during the famine years and brought back timber to Ireland and the UK.
Work on the construction of the replica will be carried out over a four year period and the Shannon Development equity investment will allow phase one of the project to get underway.
The announcement was made during a reception in Blennerville in honour of the 34 Roses from all over the world who participated in this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival.
Shannon Development Assistant Chief Executive Kevin Thompstone said almost £25m has been invested in tourism infrastructure in the region under his group’s ambit since the first EU Operational Programme for Tourism, operated by Shannon Development, was launched in 1989.
“What has been achieved here in Tralee in the past five years is a testament to the level of commitment and dedication which the local community and state and statutory bodies working together has achieved. It is an example of just what can be accomplished when all forces are mobilised to work in tandem for a common goal,” said Mr Thompstone.
He said the tourism projects developed in Tralee, which are of a high calibre, are having a beneficial impact on local communities throughout Kerry.
“They are encouraging more visitors to come to the area, to overnight in the area and to spend money in local shops and restaurants as well as exploring what Kerry has to offer,” he said.
Looking to the future, Mr Thompstone said he was encouraged by the level of interest from the private sector in the Lee Valley area.
“A development plan for the area which runs from Ballymullen via the Aquadome to Blennerville, is being finalised. Shannon Development is looking forward to continuing its partnership work with local groupings to maximise the potential of the area,” he said.