Profits at the independent Shannon Airport have jumped 34% in just one year with passenger numbers up 17% and European traffic up 70%.

Operating profits at Shannon Airport and its two subsidiary property and tourism firms increased last year.

Shannon Heritage has been appointed by An Post to operate and manage the GPO Witness History Interpretive Exhibition Centre in Dublin.

Consultants have been appointed to carry out a strategic review of the tourist firm that operates Bunratty Castle and six other attractions in the Shannon region.

Shannon Development is to carry out a strategic review of its tourist arm which operates Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co Clare as well as six other attractions in the Mid-West.

The firm that operates Bunratty Castle and a host of other tourist attractions returned to profit last year.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan yesterday urged an end to the row which has centred on the appointment of the new CEO of Limerick City of Culture 2014 Patricia Ryan.

With the recession over and an offer of as much money as he could wish for, things appear to be looking up for Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan.

Falling passenger numbers at Shannon have been halted and the airport is set to show a growth in 2013 for the first time in five years, the airports new chief, Neil Pakey, said yesterday.

The adventurer who crossed the Atlantic in a craft made of hide in a re-enactment of the voyage taken by St Brendan will be reunited with his famous boat today.

The tourism firm that operates a host of high-profile tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, expects to break even this year after four years of combined losses totalling almost €700,000.

The chief executive of tourism firm Shannon Heritage confirmed yesterday that he is hopeful of the firm recording a net profit in 2012 after moving towards a breakeven position last year.

A Paris-based Cajun star and Devon folkies are among the attractions at Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, writes Nicki ffrench Davis

TO mark Heritage Week, a local community in Co Limerick will from now on take responsibility for managing one of the country’s most important archaeological locations.

THE mid-west’s flagship tourism company sustained pre-tax losses of almost €240,000 last year as visitor numbers continued to plummet in the region.

ST PATRICK may have banished snakes from Ireland – but they are set to return to Bunratty Folk Park his national feast day.

A STRONG and vibrant Limerick city was essential for the rest of the region to do well in the jobs market and in attracting tourism, the chief executive of Shannon Development said yesterday.

HE has, over the last three decades, entertained an estimated one million people who dined at one of the country’s top visitor attractions.

THERE will be no school holiday this St Patrick’s Day for students at a village school in Bunratty.

The €40m redevelopment of Thomond Park has created additional capacity, corporate options and traffic problems. However, the one thing that mustn’t change is the stadium ‘feel’, says Michael Moynihan.

KING JOHN’S Castle in Limerick city is preparing to re-enact the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on Friday July 11.

FÁILTE Ireland has defended figures which showed a 5% drop in overseas visitors to the mid-west.

THE promotion of lesser-known tourist sites and attractions holds the key to revitalising rural communities across Ireland.

VISITOR numbers to tourist attractions in the mid-west took a substantial hit last year, mainly due to the temporary closure of a historic stone tower.

THE 150 competitors taking part in the Wold Down Syndrome Swimming Championships took a break from the pool yesterday to dive into the Ireland of the past.

Two Bronze Age crannogs, burned down two years ago, were today re-opened to the public after being completely rebuilt.

TAHNEE Afuhaamango made the most exciting phone call of her life yesterday from the World Down Syndrome Swimming championships in Limerick.

PART of Clare’s crannóg site, which has featured on Irish school curriculums for decades, has been destroyed in a fire.

The organisers of one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions have embarked on a talent hunt.