Clare County Council has granted planning permission to one of the best known tourist attractions in the west of Ireland, the Aillwee Burren Experience in north Clare to construct “much needed” staff accommodation.
The proposal had been stalled after becoming ensnared in a family land row where a member of one of the families, the Johnsons that operates the attraction, Ben Johnson claimed that the building that Aillwee Cave Co Ltd was planning to convert into staff accommodation was his.
Ben Johnson is a former shareholder and employee in the business and in an objection lodged on behalf of Mr Johnson by Galway legal firm, Benen Fahy Associates, it stated that “the lands in question belong to our client even though he is not the registered owner”.
Ben Johnson sold his shareholding in the business in 2014 but was instrumental in setting up the cheese brand associated with Aillwee Caves and the Bird of Prey centre at the visitor attraction.
Commenting on his objection, Mr Johnson said at the time that the building “morally is mine”. He said: “Because of the stamp I left on Aillwee Cave I am justified in claiming the shed back at the very least.”
Mr Johnson’s intervention resulted in Clare County Council stalling the plan after requesting applicants, Aillwee Cave Co Ltd to submit documentation that it is the owner of the lands in question and that it has sufficient legal interest to lodge the plans
The company has provided that folio documentation and the Council has granted planning permission for the proposal.
The Aillwee Burren Experience is co-owned by another family, the Mulqueeneys and
MD of the Aillwee Burren Experience, Nuala Mulqueeney today welcomed the Council planning go-ahead.
Ms Mulqueeney said that providing the accommodation is part of a three year plan for the Aillwee Burren Experience.
Ms Mulqueeney commented “we have to get the green paper yet” in reference to the final planning permission document after the period for appeals to An Bord Pleanala has expired.
Ms Mulqueeney said that before the staff accommodation is provided “we have a lot to do on the site for visitors”.
Ms Mulqueeney said that visitor numbers to Aillwee Burren Experience were between 85,000 to 90,000 in 2024 which was a 5% increase on 2023 visitor numbers.
Ms Mulqueeney said that Aillwee Caves employs up to around 70 people for the high Summer season and 90 elves for the busy Christmas period.
Ms Mulqueeny said that the business performed well in 2024 despite the increase in overheads.
She said that the business’s Council rates bill increased by 35% in 2024 following a Council revaluation. She said: “That stings as it is a lot more than it was.”
At the end of 2023, Aillwee Cave Company Ltd had accumulatd profits of €1.96m after recording profits of €82,451 for the year.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
