Connemara braced for invasion of staycationers

Almost all self-catering accommodation across Connemara is already booked out for the summer’s peak two months – before a decision is made about when restrictions will lift.

Terry O’Toole, who runs Love Connemara Cottages, said his agency’s 100 properties across the county’s top tourist region are all full for July and August. Homeowners are hoping to be allowed to take bookings earlier than that.

“May is what we’re hoping for, but I think it’s a bit optimistic. We’re definitely banking on July and August – I could have rented three and four times what we have for those months – but June would be the cherry on the top.”

Terry, who is a director of the Irish Self-Catering Federation, reveals that a lot of deposits from last year were held over as credit due to Covid restrictions imposed throughout the pandemic.

“People are hedging their bets and booking May and June. We’d normally be full anyway for July and August but not until a few weeks before it. But once [Greens Leader] Eamon Ryan said there would be no travel next year things went bananas.”

Houses let for an average of €1,000 per week in Connemara and like last year there will be predominantly be Irish visitors, who are booking for at least a week instead of few days which they used to prefer.

“They are now looking for Saturday to Saturday which is old school but now they want the longer breaks. It’s great for the industry, it’s less cost for turnover, and it will mean more repeat business.”

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