Letter to the Editor of the Irish Times
Dear Editor,
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/10/24/economically-it-probably-would-make-sense-to-close-clifden-businesses-prepare-for-barren-winter/
Your article of 24 October, “Economically it probably would make sense to close”: Clifden businesses prepare for barren winter, highlighted genuine challenges facing seasonal tourism destinations. However, the bleak headline and imagery were at odds with the resilience, enterprise and positivity expressed by the local businesspeople interviewed.
The article tells a more encouraging story: family businesses serving their communities for generations, employers committed to retaining staff and hotels actively developing off-season markets. These are hardly characteristics of a town preparing for hibernation.
Seasonality is normal in tourism destinations worldwide. While some businesses close or reduce their hours, many remain open year-round.
The headline is particularly unfair to businesses investing considerable effort and expense in remaining open and attracting visitors. Their marketing efforts, supported by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and regional tourism networks, deserve better than such a negative portrayal.
The timing was equally unfortunate. Published over the October Bank Holiday weekend, when Clifden was bustling despite stormy weather, the headline and grey photograph presented a misleading impression to potential visitors considering their next getaway.
At Connemara Chamber, we recognise the challenges of seasonality and sustaining employment. However, headlines and images matter. They shape perceptions and influence decisions.
The real story is not that Clifden is closing for winter, but that its businesses and community work extraordinarily hard to ensure it doesn’t.
That is a story worthy of a headline too.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Ashe
President of the Connemara Chamber
