News Release -
Shannon Development, The Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region is delighted to announce that it has secured the All Ireland Corporate Games for Limerick for a minimum period of five years commencing June 20th – 22nd 2008. ‘The 2008 Games’ will see close on 2,000 competitors drawn from businesses and community groups around the country, complete in 19 different sports in Limerick city and the surrounding area and is worth an estimate €30million to the local economy over five years.
Making the announcement, John King, Tourism Director, Shannon Development said,
“Shannon Development is absolutely delighted to have been instrumental in securing the All Ireland Corporate Games for the people of Limerick and the surrounding region for an initial five year period. There were a number of other cities in the running for this prestigious event and it is testimony the sporting and tourism facilities in the region that Limerick has been awarded the games. The region is set to benefit to the tune of €30million over the course of the five years and the event offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase Limerick as one of Ireland’s leading business & tourism destinations.”
The All Ireland Corporate Games is one of a world wide series of similar events first launched in 1988 and now staged in over 22 locations annually. The Corporate Games were last staged in Limerick in 2001 and for the last 3 years have been held in Belfast. The Games’ offer an opportunity for organisations both public & private, commercial & community, large and small to enjoy a weekend of activity & fun through a series of sport, leisure & social events. 19 sports including field sports, Hurling, Football, Soccer, Racquet Sports, Bowling, Tug of War, Dragon Boating & Poker. The individual events will be staged at University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, and other individual sites all form part of the programme of non elite sport which will culminate in a grand parade of Athletes from Arthur’s Park to King John’s Castle.
Highlighting the importance of the event Mr. King said, “For a number of years now Shannon Development has worked to brand and promote Limerick nationally and internationally as a world-class sports destination. This effort is paying off and Limerick is now considered a centre of sporting excellence with world-class facilities at the University of Limerick and throughout the city and county. To continue the momentum Shannon Development actively pursued the All Ireland Corporate Games. In addition to the enormous benefit to local Limerick economy over the next five years, we expect the Games will generate spin-off benefits to the tourism industry in the wider Shannon Region, with participants staying in a variety of locations around the Region.”
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Ger Fahy, welcomed the news, said, “We are delighted that Shannon Development has secured the All-Ireland Corporate Games for Limerick against stiff opposition from other cities. These games will bring around 2,000 athletes from all over the country here and generate a €30 million boost for the local economy over the next five years.
“This further endorses Sporting Limerick’s great tradition of nurturing and promoting all sports. These games will bring more tourists to the city and open up potential investment from the corporate sector. I would like to congratulate Shannon Development on securing these prestigious games for the city,” Mayor Fahy said.
Ubique Event Management are licensed to stage the All Ireland Corporate Games and Managing Director, Marcus Buckley Bennion is looking forward to their new home in Limerick; “It is my belief that the City, ‘The Games’ and all its participants will benefit from establishing roots in Limerick. Although we had a number of attractive choices to consider, Limerick has some of the finest sports facilities but more importantly, as a community it exudes a culture of sport, both elite & non elite that I have not encountered anywhere else in the world. By establishing a 5 year commitment we believe that The Games will become a better event for participants and a stronger commercial proposition for suppliers and supporter. We already have commitments from teams based in Edinburgh, Dublin & Belfast and anticipate a rush of entries now that the event has been confirmed. Once we have built a nucleus of support our objective is to attract participation from outside Ireland’.
The All Ireland Corporate Games take place from June 20th to 22nd and are supported by Shannon Development and Business Limerick Magazine. An announcement of further corporate supporters will be made in the coming weeks. Details of the event including how to register your company or organisation can be found on www.corporate-games.com or by calling Jeni McClellan on 0044 1733 211 708.
Shannon Development secures 30 million euro for Limerick.....
Attending the launch were from left: Marcus Buckley Bennion, Managing Director, Ubique Event Management; Cllr. Ger Fahy, Mayor of Limerick and John King, Tourism and Heritage Director, Shannon Development. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22 (with compliments)
Further Information contacts :
Kieran O’Brien – O’Brien Communications
E- kieran@obriencommunications.ie
T - 061 457999
M – 086 6019214
Jeni McClellan – All Ireland Corporate Games
E - jenniferm@corporate-games.com
M - 0044 7809 388 353
T- 0044 1733 211 708
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For further information please contact:
Nandi O’Sullivan
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