Plans have been announced for OceanÉire, a proposed €80 million oceanarium that could become Ireland’s first large-scale dedicated marine attraction and a significant addition to Dublin’s visitor economy.
The project is being led by a consortium of tourism and attractions professionals, with ambitions to create a year-round destination combining marine habitats, immersive visitor experiences, conservation programming and hospitality. If delivered, the attraction is expected to target up to 700,000 visitors annually and operate throughout the year.
While the development remains at an early stage, with no confirmed site or planning application submitted, the proposal represents one of the most ambitious visitor attraction concepts announced in Ireland in recent years.
Filling A Gap In Ireland’s Attraction Market
Unlike many European capital cities, Dublin currently lacks a large-scale marine attraction. OceanÉire has been conceived to address that gap through a purpose-built destination focused on ocean discovery and Ireland’s maritime heritage.
The proposed experience would feature immersive underwater tunnels, digital interpretation, educational programmes and themed dining environments. For attraction developers and destination planners, the concept reflects growing demand for experiences that combine entertainment, learning and environmental awareness within a single venue.
The project team has positioned OceanÉire as more than a traditional aquarium. Instead, it aims to create a broader marine-focused destination capable of attracting both domestic and international audiences while supporting wider tourism objectives.
Experienced Leadership And International Expertise
El Travel Group’s managing director and founder, Keith McDonnell, is leading the development is, alongside HuntVentures’ Sam Hunt, who handles financing and commercial strategy.
The project also benefits from input from several experienced figures in the visitor attraction sector. Former Guinness Storehouse managing director Paul Carty serves as a non-executive board member, while Michael Counahan of CHL Consulting acts as senior adviser.
Advanced Aquarium Technologies, a firm based in Australia, has been appointed as design lead. The company has experience delivering marine and exhibition projects internationally, including involvement with the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2020.
For industry observers, the calibre of the team adds credibility to the proposal. While significant development milestones remain ahead, the leadership structure suggests a project informed by both attraction operations and destination planning expertise.
Economic Impact And Destination Development
OceanÉire’s developers estimate that the attraction could generate around €200 million in annual economic impact and create more than 120 full-time jobs.
Such projections should be viewed cautiously at this stage, particularly given that the project does not yet have a confirmed location. The visitor estimates currently range between 400,000 and 700,000 annually, a variation that highlights the uncertainty that often accompanies projects in their early development phase.
Nevertheless, if realised, the attraction could play an important role in Dublin’s tourism offer. Year-round indoor attractions are increasingly valuable assets for cities seeking to diversify visitation patterns, extend dwell time and reduce dependence on seasonal demand.
The development team is currently evaluating multiple Dublin sites, with a focus on accessibility for families and tourists while supporting wider urban development objectives.
For the visitor experience sector, OceanÉire is a project worth monitoring. Although funding, planning and site selection remain unresolved, the proposal reflects continued investment in immersive, education-led attractions that combine environmental storytelling with large-scale destination development. If the project progresses beyond the concept stage, it has the potential to become one of Ireland’s most significant new visitor attractions.
