The Wild Atlantic Way will be little more than just a scenic drive – devoid of restaurants, pubs or shops to stop at along the way – if the Government doesn’t majorly intervene to cut the cost of doing business.

That’s according to Connemara publican Micheál Ó Cadháin of Coyne’s Gastropub in Cill Chiaráin, who was part of the huge turn-out from the hospitality industry protesting outside Leinster House this week over the lack of state support for their sector.

Hundreds of restaurateurs, and owners and staff of family-run eateries, took to the streets in Dublin on Tuesday to demand action, as industry leaders warned further Government-induced cost increases coming down the track were threatening small businesses.

The strong Galway contingent at the march also included workers from GBC restaurant and coffee shop in the city, Builín Blasta in An Spidéal and Connemara Greenway in Oughterard.

It comes as the hospitality sector predicted that more than 1,000 restaurants and cafés will shut down over the next year in Ireland unless Government intervenes to cut the cost of doing business.

Mr Ó Cadháin said that Ministers and civil servants ‘lacked understanding’ of rural Ireland and hardship faced by small, family businesses.

“Businesses have no reserves, they’ve cutback as far as they can. Overheads and Government are killing rural businesses. What will be left of the Wild Atlantic Way? It’ll just be a drive, no restaurants, pubs or shops,” he said.

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