The operators of one of the country's leading tourist attractions have announced plans to build Ireland's largest public falconry centre to open early in 2007 without the need for planning permission.
Aillwee Cave in north Clare, where the centre will be located, attracted over 100,000 visitors in the first seven months of this year. The figures were released yesterday as management at the complex announced plans to further expand the on-site facilities by developing a falconry centre which will feature a large variety of raptors such as vultures, eagles, falcons, hawks and the country's only snowy owl.
"The falconry centre will be the largest of its kind in Ireland and its main focus will be on education," said Ben Johnson of Aillwee Cave. "The centre will enhance the overall educational aspect of the Aillwee Cave and complex.
"We also offer visitors an extensive mountain walk, a garden centre and coppice woodland. The new centre will provide visitors with a daily opportunity to view a range of amazing raptors in flight. It will also act as a conservation and breeding station for birds of prey."
"We expect that the centre will be up and running sometime during the coming winter. We are very lucky, as we do not need to apply for planning permission. Only 'change of use' is required, as part of the garden centre complex will be used initially for this project."
Commenting on the high number of visitors, Susan Johnson said: "Daily visitors range from 200 to 1,800 per day depending on the time of year and the weather. Unlike most day visitor attractions we hope for a rainy or a misty day, which brings the visitors underground in their droves. Despite the recent fine weather, however, visitor numbers have remained high, with over 100,000 people coming to Aillwee Cave during the first seven months of this year."