Connemara Chamber of Commerce

See information on the Outdoor Seating and Accessories Scheme which is currently being administered by Galway County Council. You can submit your application for your business via this link. More info: Fáilte Ireland’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, in partnership with Local Authorities will work to facilitate greater capacity in outdoor dining by supporting Local Authorities and hospitality businesses with upgrading and enhancing streets and public spaces and implementing weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining. This investment scheme will be delivered under the Fáilte Ireland ‘Opening the Outdoors’ strategic pillar which aims to capitalise our outdoor assets and re-imagine our urban spaces. The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme consist of 2 elements: Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business – Providing support to individual hospitality and tourism businesses towards the cost of equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and facilitate individual businesses to increase their outdoor dining capacity for the summer of 2021. Weatherproofing & Outdoor Dining Infrastructure – Implement the necessary remedial works and weatherproofing solutions to areas where additional outdoor dining could be possible thereby increasing capacity and locations. Outdoor Seating and Accessories

13th of May 3.00pm to 4.15pm Attendees: Reps from Galway County Council Reps from Connemara Chamber of Commerce Committee Topics discussed: 254 Licences Results of recent survey discussed. Clarity given by Galway County Council on 254 licenses 254 licences are issued to cover public owned spaces only e.g. car park spaces Licenses cover items that are fully removable at close of business such as: Table and Chairs Wind breakers / Surrounds Temporary base Number of applications sent to the council is 12 at present. Licenses may be issued until the end of 2021 Awnings and Canopies do not require planning permission from 30th April to 31st December 2021 Successful applicants will be notified by the Council by Tuesday 18th of May at the latest Parking Optimisation The issue of parking spaces in the town was discussed – staff and owners parking outside their own businesses all day long. The Chamber is in discussion with Kavanagh’s SuperValu Clifden and Connemara Pony Breeders Society in regards to offering additional parking to be made available to Clifden business owners and staff during the high season

The Connemara Chamber of Commerce welcomes the news of the significant funding to combat Rhododendron within the Connemara National Park. We are aware that similar work in 2020 provide employment to eight locals through the Farm Relief Service. It is tremendous to see this positive conservation work ongoing within the National Park, which is of significant benefit to both biodiversity and the community. We would also like to congratulate the National Park on the recent approval of their planning application for the provision of new looped walks and a new car park within the National Park. We look forward with anticipation to the delivery of this exciting project, which will allow for better visitor management and experiences within the National Park, which will further enhance Connemara as a location to visit and as a place to live. More … https://www.thejournal.ie/half-a-million-to-clear-rhododendron-from-connemara-national-park-5408886-Apr2021/ https://www.farmersjournal.ie/500k-allocated-to-rhododendron-clearance-work-in-connemara-national-park-615178 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/connemara-national-park-new-walking-trails-given-green-light-502hkdqvn https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0af26-minister-announces-major-rhododendron-clearance-project-in-connemara-national-park/