IDA Mid West Regional Manager Niall O’Callaghan is to take up a new role as Managing Director of Shannon Heritage, Ireland’s largest operator of tourist attractions.
Part of the Shannon Group, Shannon Heritage has a portfolio of seven attractions including the iconic Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, King John’s Castle, Dunguaire Castle and Malahide Castle and Gardens.
The 35-year-old IDA executive is expected to join the tourism operation after one of the most successful periods of job creation in the Mid West.
Latest statistics show that almost 1,900 new jobs were announced by IDA supported companies in the region over the past 12 months. The IDA have previously identified the Mid West as the fastest growing region for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2016.
A graduate of the University of Limerick, Mr O’Callaghan is widely regarded as the key component in the development of the relationships built with FDI companies looking to establish operations in the Mid West.
Over the past twelve months alone IDA Ireland has announced investments from the likes of Element 6, Trusource Labs, WP Engine, ACI Worldwide and Becton Dickinson.
The revival of IDA activity and turnaround of fortunes in the region have been generally attributed by local industry leaders to Mr O’Callaghan’s appointment in early 2016.
The Croagh man is also believed to have spearheaded the need for further infrastructure in the Mid West, notably for mobilising the business community to support the Northern Distributor Road project earlier this year.
Mr O’Callaghan, who also holds a Masters degree from UCC, is a former Commercial Manager with consumer goods giant Unilever, is expected to take up the Shannon Heritage role in the coming months where Shannon Group chief executive Matthew Thomas told employees he would bring a “new and fresh approach”.
