Plans for a themepark to be built in Co.Clare.

Kasabian · 23-11-2011 05:09PM

BoDiddly wrote: »

I think The castle was there before the road, as is, besides Clare is an excellent choice, close to Shannon airport and with the new improved road links, but don't get carried away with the Disney style park I'm sure it will be more cultural style , expanding on the current and well visited one.

My only concern would be, it took Clare planning 10 years to get a kids playground built.

You think!!!

jonnyfingers · 23-11-2011 05:14PM

bb1234567 wrote: »

nope not inaccurate, disney announced a new thrill ride called radiator springs racer to open in california this summer, itll be their most expensive ride yet ,itll cost 250 million dollars. i

I take it back. I just looked it up and does say it will be over 200 million dollars. I have no idea what that will be used for! But Disney parks are the most over priced parks on the planet so I'm sure they'll make their money back.

As for the proposed Irish park being in Clare, here's how I see it.

Pros:

- Close to Bunratty Castle, a popular tourist destination that averages 400,000 tourists a year.
- The whole west of Ireland is a tourist spot already, could take those tourists and even add to them.
- Plenty of land for development.
- Close to Shannon International Airport.
- Probably within 2 hours driving distance from every major city in the Republic of Ireland.
- Gap in the market, no other theme park exists.

Cons:

- The weather!
- Total population in Ireland is just under 5 million. Is that enough of a pool to get decent regular visitor numbers?
- Economic climate is currently abysmal. Will people have money to spend to go to a park?

But I'd love to see it happen. If it's done well it could be great. Check out Folly Farm in Wales. They have a vintage funfair and a huge children's play area indoors so the weather does not affect it. There's a great zoo/farm outside as well as plenty for the kids to do. It's aimed at younger children for sure, but the vintage funfair is great. No reason why something similar could not exist in Ireland. Throw in a few roller coasters, some dark rides and you'd have a decent park.

mikom · 23-11-2011 05:16PM

Tedworld FTW.

WoollyRedHat · 23-11-2011 05:21PM

So long as they don't call it Bunratty theme park and something a bit better

Fratton Fred · 23-11-2011 05:23PM

flutterflye wrote: »

I don't believe in Clare.
I've never seen it, so how do I know it's there??.

Apparently it is outside of the M50, so it must be in Naas, or maybe Blanchardstown.

23-11-2011 05:23PM

I voted for the park in the OP's poll, though Clare is a fair spin away for me. Like the failed complex/casino for Co. Tipperary I can't see our overlords allowing this to go ahead.

That development in Tipp did seem an odd location for such a venture but the general Irish public wouldn't have been their target market for making $$$. The eastern-yank corporations who spend hundreds of thousands annually on weekend conferences and training (and fly 7 hours across the US to Vegas) would have brought in enough business to keep that place open and maintain the many jobs promised.

No doubt the Clare theme park will never take any physical form. It is very much needed as we do not have anything like it, and Europe and the States dotted with them. Putting it in Clare would add to the South-West's tourism attractions, along with the likes of the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Ring of Kerry etc. Clare and that general region is a beautiful part of the country, and by all the Yanks flocking there, we can sit here back in the East unaffected but reaping the benefits of a recovering economy.

Tourism is a viable gateway to the country's recovery. No matter how bad things get financially at least we've still got these beautiful lands and should be trying now more than ever to make it appear like a joyful place to come on holiday. Theme parks and casinos, why not? If that means extending drinking hours, why not give it some serious thought and discussion? With the Netherlands trying their best to stop foreigners from scabbing their marijuana, maybe there'll be a gap in the market to attract all those smokers wanting a legal toke soon? Anyway that's going off the OT slightly.

I'm all for the Clare theme park, oh and a monorail:D

sensibleken · 23-11-2011 05:29PM

whatislife wrote: »

why clare? why not cork or dublin?

because clare has already ruinned the cliffs of moher and the ailiwee caves so giving them this to fúck up might save the burren from being tarmaced

bb1234567 · 23-11-2011 05:34PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

I take it back. I just looked it up and does say it will be over 200 million dollars. I have no idea what that will be used for! But Disney parks are the most over priced parks on the planet so I'm sure they'll make their money back.

As for the proposed Irish park being in Clare, here's how I see it.

Pros:

- Close to Bunratty Castle, a popular tourist destination that averages 400,000 tourists a year.
- The whole west of Ireland is a tourist spot already, could take those tourists and even add to them.
- Plenty of land for development.
- Close to Shannon International Airport.
- Probably within 2 hours driving distance from every major city in the Republic of Ireland.
- Gap in the market, no other theme park exists.

Cons:

- The weather!
- Total population in Ireland is just under 5 million. Is that enough of a pool to get decent regular visitor numbers?
- Economic climate is currently abysmal. Will people have money to spend to go to a park?

But I'd love to see it happen. If it's done well it could be great. Check out Folly Farm in Wales. They have a vintage funfair and a huge children's play area indoors so the weather does not affect it. There's a great zoo/farm outside as well as plenty for the kids to do. It's aimed at younger children for sure, but the vintage funfair is great. No reason why something similar could not exist in Ireland. Throw in a few roller coasters, some dark rides and you'd have a decent park.

great post thanks :)ye on the cons- the weather is defo a con youre right, but i dont think itll deter people from going ,so weather wont affeact the park imo.
ye the population of the republic is about 5 million,but you forgot about about northern ireland which has a population of about 2million! so of the around 7 million on this island i'd say easily 5 million on the island would vsit regularly or atleast yearly.and then add in about 4/500,00 tourists yearly who visit ireland or the west im sure would go to the park as part of their holiday(if the park is good mid you!). Oh and i read somewhere that a full scale all the works disney park only needs about 8 million guests annually to pay off for all ride maintenance,employee pay,electricity and all other overheads and still make profit. so if a whole disney park can surive on 8 m guests surely a much smaller scale park in ireland could survive on around 5.5/6m guests annually and make lots of profit!
then the recession as the last con, ye im sure thatll have some effect, but not too big i wouldnt think, as long as the park is good and food,tickets inside and accomodation arent even1/4 of what disney charge then i think the park will be a massive success.:)

bb1234567 · 23-11-2011 05:45PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

I take it back. I just looked it up and does say it will be over 200 million dollars. I have no idea what that will be used for! But Disney parks are the most over priced parks on the planet so I'm sure they'll make their money back.

As for the proposed Irish park being in Clare, here's how I see it.

Pros:

- Close to Bunratty Castle, a popular tourist destination that averages 400,000 tourists a year.
- The whole west of Ireland is a tourist spot already, could take those tourists and even add to them.
- Plenty of land for development.
- Close to Shannon International Airport.
- Probably within 2 hours driving distance from every major city in the Republic of Ireland.
- Gap in the market, no other theme park exists.

Cons:

- The weather!
- Total population in Ireland is just under 5 million. Is that enough of a pool to get decent regular visitor numbers?
- Economic climate is currently abysmal. Will people have money to spend to go to a park?

But I'd love to see it happen. If it's done well it could be great. Check out Folly Farm in Wales. They have a vintage funfair and a huge children's play area indoors so the weather does not affect it. There's a great zoo/farm outside as well as plenty for the kids to do. It's aimed at younger children for sure, but the vintage funfair is great. No reason why something similar could not exist in Ireland. Throw in a few roller coasters, some dark rides and you'd have a decent park.

I'd really like to open a small vintage funfair type themepark somewhere in dublin when im older. im sure thatd be a huge success and would surely run a hole like funderland out of house and home.and it wouldnt be all too expenisve to build either. im sure you could keep costs somehwere in the hundred thousand fugures rather than the millions,then when it gets popular spend big oney on better rides. itd be easy to do,just buy some cheap second hand carnival rides some thrills and family/kids rides,maybe a good rollercoaster or two,dress them up nice,repaint, make them look vintage and traditional,nice greenery and flowers,some cafes and nice traditional food stalls selling candy apples,popcorn,cotton candy,sweets,icecreams,nice kids areas,nice theatre or music venue,water fountains,famiyl music not that techno funderland music,some clowns and performers,maybe an ice skating rink, a farmers market,wine tasting for adults,made into winter wonderland type scene in xmas time..and i think thatd be a really cool,fun popular little themepark and would fit in great in a middle class south dublin area maybe somehwere like dundrum

telekon · 23-11-2011 05:49PM

I keep picturing Funland from Father Ted.

'Freak Pointing', 'The Pond of Terror', 'Spinning Cat', the 'Crane of Death', and of course, 'The Ladder'....

"Keep your hands on the so-ides...."

dilallio · 23-11-2011 05:58PM

Unfortunately in Ireland, they would probably run out of money and we would end up with something like this ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHPXd5pGFRY

Sin_J · 23-11-2011 05:59PM

For those saying the weather is a con, pretty much the same weather in the UK and their parks get by fine. Just don't build too many water rides and you're golden.

We may get lots of rain, but at least it is generally just that. Go to Florida, and you get thunderstorms, which basically shut down every outdoor rollercoaster and water ride because they can't risk people being on it with all of the lightning strikes.

And if you've never been there, its not an occasional thing, you can generally count on it raining at least once a day for maybe an hour or so minimum. If you've bought your park ticket and then a storm comes in and is down for most of the day, you don't get a refund, even if the majority of rides are closed. i know they generally have the heat and sun to make up for this, but it's still an impact, especially if you have limited time and cash to buy a ticket.

At least here everything could stay open with bad weather.

nicowa · 23-11-2011 06:26PM

And you can't bring up the location as a con either. From what I remember of Alton Towers it was a bugger to find - being that it's in the middle of nowhere...

fryup · 23-11-2011 06:36PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOvGgremAIo

i wonder will they have the ladder.."keep your hands at the side"

BoDiddly · 23-11-2011 06:41PM

Kasabian wrote: »

You think!!!

I did say, " as is " .

redzerologhlen · 23-11-2011 07:07PM

sensibleken wrote: »

because clare has already ruinned the cliffs of moher and the ailiwee caves so giving them this to fúck up might save the burren from being tarmaced

Thats silly talk, your not making any sense.......Fianna Fail ruined all those things.

MOSSAD · 23-11-2011 07:21PM

What's with the packaging and interperting of every goddamned thing for people? Are they so stupid they require things to be served on a plate? Sounds like a bunch of overpaid incompetent unimaginative nincompoop public servants justifiying their employment.
Take the bright spark and genius that gave one the "interpretive centre " at the Cliffs of Moher-it's so dull and sanitised that you can no longer examine and wonder at the birdlife and geological strata of the cliffs.
How about engaging with landowners to open up forest walks/ campsites/tours of ringforts and castles? The Clare countryside is alive with history and stories pertaining to various townlands. Last thing we need is a disneyfication of our heritage...if this is the best these fools can come up with then we may as well curl up and die.

Richard · 23-11-2011 07:39PM

nicowa wrote: »

And you can't bring up the location as a con either. From what I remember of Alton Towers it was a bugger to find - being that it's in the middle of nowhere...

Yes, but Great Britain (i.e. England, Scotland and Wales) has a population Of 60 million, whilst Ireland has a population of about 6.3 million. The population in England (about 50 million) is more densely packed than in Ireland as well.

maiden · 23-11-2011 08:13PM

Im from Clare and I say bring it on!!!!! And why not Clare???

I've spend a fortune in the capital city every time a major concert in on, and ive spent a few bob over the years at Fota Wildlife.

So come on, time to get out of the cities and see the countryside!! I promise the fresh air wont hurt!!

Naomi00 · 23-11-2011 08:19PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

I take it back. I just looked it up and does say it will be over 200 million dollars. I have no idea what that will be used for! But Disney parks are the most over priced parks on the planet so I'm sure they'll make their money back.

I'd say most of it goes on the designing of the rides, I'd say they spend a couple of years between planning it, designing & building it then testing it.

Actually Disneyland is probably one of the cheaper parks I've been to and the best value.
I've been to a few theme parks in Germany which cost way more. Obviously they didn't have the characters that Disney have and so didn't really have a strong theme at all, and even though the park was bigger it was pointless as the whole place closed at 6pm, wheras Disneyland closes at midnight.

I think a proper themepark in Ireland would be class. I think Clare is a really good place for one, as long as it doesn't look awful or out of place.

jonnyfingers · 24-11-2011 10:14AM

Naomi00 wrote: »

Actually Disneyland is probably one of the cheaper parks I've been to and the best value.
I've been to a few theme parks in Germany which cost way more. Obviously they didn't have the characters that Disney have and so didn't really have a strong theme at all, and even though the park was bigger it was pointless as the whole place closed at 6pm, whereas Disneyland closes at midnight.

I think a proper theme park in Ireland would be class. I think Clare is a really good place for one, as long as it doesn't look awful or out of place.

One thing I do like about Disney is the free Fast Passes you can get. In the Merlin parks in the UK these are an up-charge. I live 15 minutes from Thorpe Park and have an annual pass so went there quite a lot this year, but the queues were massive at times. You'd need multiple fast passes just to get on the rides and that could double the cost of your entry.

But I've been to Disneyworld in Florida and Disneyland Paris and the food an accommodation onsite is very expensive. The entrance prices are also very high. For example a two day ticket for Disneyland Paris is £105. A two day ticket at Alton Towers is £40.

But Disney does open for longer, I'll give you that.

I'm going to most of the parks in Germany next summer as part of a European Theme Park tour, can't wait to see them. Europa Park looks amazing.

But back onto to topic of and Irish Theme Park, I think Drayton Manor would be a good model to emulate. It's a family owned park, has grown steadily from humble beginnings and has a nice mixture of thrill rides and family rides. The recent edition of Thomas Land and a Ben 10 themed roller coaster has been hugely successful. I was there a few months ago and the amount of families in the park was great.

In fact getting a TV show franchise would be a great idea. Drayton have Thomas the Tank Engine and Ben 10, Blackpool have Nickelodeon Land and Paulton's Park has Peppa Pig world. If a new Irish park got something similar it could really get some international visitors as well as Irish ones.

CptSternn · 24-11-2011 02:53PM

I would love to see one in Clare, but sure, after witnessing the ongoing battle to get a simple Tesco built shows there is no chance they will ever have a theme park in Clare.

Nevermind_ · 24-11-2011 03:23PM

sensibleken wrote: »

because clare has already ruinned the cliffs of moher and the ailiwee caves so giving them this to fúck up might save the burren from being tarmaced

FYI Ailwee caves is privately owned and operated nothing to do with the council or the general population of clare

Nevermind_ · 24-11-2011 03:29PM

bb1234567 wrote: »

I'd really like to open a small vintage funfair type themepark somewhere in dublin when im older. im sure thatd be a huge success and would surely run a hole like funderland out of house and home.and it wouldnt be all too expenisve to build either. im sure you could keep costs somehwere in the hundred thousand fugures rather than the millions,then when it gets popular spend big oney on better rides. itd be easy to do,just buy some cheap second hand carnival rides some thrills and family/kids rides,maybe a good rollercoaster or two,dress them up nice,repaint, make them look vintage and traditional,nice greenery and flowers,some cafes and nice traditional food stalls selling candy apples,popcorn,cotton candy,sweets,icecreams,nice kids areas,nice theatre or music venue,water fountains,famiyl music not that techno funderland music,some clowns and performers,maybe an ice skating rink, a farmers market,wine tasting for adults,made into winter wonderland type scene in xmas time..and i think thatd be a really cool,fun popular little themepark and would fit in great in a middle class south dublin area maybe somehwere like dundrum

Thats a lovely idea and would have a good chance of working but the bit I highlighted there above and I hate to burst your bubble here but... you couldnt get the land required for it somewhere near dundrum for the figures youre talking about let alone build it.
A planning application alone would cost in excess of a hundred thousand

Tea 1000 · 24-11-2011 03:44PM

bb1234567 wrote: »

great post thanks :)ye on the cons- the weather is defo a con youre right, but i dont think itll deter people from going ,so weather wont affeact the park imo.
ye the population of the republic is about 5 million,but you forgot about about northern ireland which has a population of about 2million! so of the around 7 million on this island i'd say easily 5 million on the island would vsit regularly or atleast yearly.and then add in about 4/500,00 tourists yearly who visit ireland or the west im sure would go to the park as part of their holiday(if the park is good mid you!). Oh and i read somewhere that a full scale all the works disney park only needs about 8 million guests annually to pay off for all ride maintenance,employee pay,electricity and all other overheads and still make profit. so if a whole disney park can surive on 8 m guests surely a much smaller scale park in ireland could survive on around 5.5/6m guests annually and make lots of profit!
then the recession as the last con, ye im sure thatll have some effect, but not too big i wouldnt think, as long as the park is good and food,tickets inside and accomodation arent even1/4 of what disney charge then i think the park will be a massive success.:)

I welcome the idea of a theme park so long as it's a good one, but nowhere in this country would get a sniff of 5 or 6 million visitors annually. You think 5 million people on this island would visit yearly? I'd say a max of around 2 million will visit it once and of those less than 500,000 regularly.

Brendog · 24-11-2011 03:48PM

"The happiest place in the bog"

sensibleken · 24-11-2011 03:52PM

maiden wrote: »

Im from Clare and I say bring it on!!!!! And why not Clare???

I've spend a fortune in the capital city every time a major concert in on, and ive spent a few bob over the years at Fota Wildlife.

So come on, time to get out of the cities and see the countryside!! I promise the fresh air wont hurt!!

countryside = nice.

massive themepark is not the countryside

manlad · 24-11-2011 03:55PM

I think they will need to build a roof first or the theme park will only be able to open a handful of times per year

sensibleken · 24-11-2011 04:01PM

Nevermind_ wrote: »

FYI Ailwee caves is privately owned and operated nothing to do with the council or the general population of clare

nothing at all against the fine people of clare. most I know were quite rightly giving out shít about how the cliffs have been ruined.

who owns the ailiwee caves? is it the same people who own the bird prison you get to be depressed by for €18

Mal-Adjusted · 24-11-2011 04:12PM

I'm apprehensive as Clare co. council has a horrible track-record regarding planning and they love to interfere with the things that are running smoothly (see the god-awful amenity center at the cliffs that they now force you to pay for even when you don't want to)

otherwise, bring it on! I can't wait to try the tunnel of goats!

Plans for a themepark to be built in Co.Clare.

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