A consortium of Irish tourism leaders and international design specialists has announced plans for a major new oceanarium in Dublin, targeting 700,000 visitors a year.
Ireland has no large-scale dedicated marine attraction. OceanÉire aims to change that. The project, announced in early June 2026, proposes an €80 million oceanarium for Dublin – a permanent, year-round venue combining marine habitats, immersive tunnels, conservation programming and ocean-themed dining.
The development is led by Keith McDonnell, founder and managing director of El Travel Group, alongside Sam Hunt, founder of HuntVentures, who takes the commercial strategy and financing lead. Paul Carty, former managing director of Guinness Storehouse, sits on the board as a non-executive member. Michael Counahan of CHL Consulting – described on the project website as Ireland’s leading tourist attraction consultant – serves as senior adviser. Australian firm Advanced Aquarium Technologies, whose credits include the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2020, is attached as design lead.
A site has not yet been confirmed. The development team is in active negotiations over several locations in Dublin. McDonnell has stated the team is pursuing sites that maximise accessibility for families and tourists while complementing the city’s broader urban development strategy.
The project targets 700,000 annual visitors and projects an estimated €200 million annual economic impact for the region, alongside the creation of more than 120 full-time jobs. The venue is planned to operate 365 days a year.
Visitor experience plans include immersive underwater tunnels, interactive digital exhibits, conservation education programming, and ocean-inspired dining. The team positions OceanÉire as more than a conventional aquarium – framing it as a destination built around ocean discovery and Ireland’s maritime identity.
The project is at announcement stage. Stakeholder and investor backing is still being sought, and no planning application has been lodged. The gap between concept and construction remains substantial, and a delivery timeline has not been made public. Those in the attractions industry will note that announced visitor figures – a range of 400,000 to 700,000 – carry considerable variance for a facility without a confirmed site or design sign-off.
That said, the leadership team has genuine sector credentials. If OceanÉire secures its site and funding, it would represent a significant addition to Ireland’s visitor economy and a rare purpose-built marine attraction for a capital city without one.
Image: OceanÉire
