# Fáilte Ireland
Last month
March 2023
# Housing
AirBnb claims 'everyday families' rent out their homes for much-needed income
An upcoming property register is a barrier to income families “cannot afford to lose”, Airbnb says.
Last year
2022
# short-term lets
Cabinet approves new short-term let register aimed at bringing 12,000 properties back into use
Property owners face fines of €300 if they advertise their property without a valid registration number.
# West Cork
Calls for Dursey Island cable car works to be sped up amid fears cattle could starve over winter
There are fears that the island will be abandoned for the first time in 420 years.
# tourism recovery
Staff shortages identified as major challenge as tourism sector hopes to rebound from pandemic
Nearly one in three businesses said they may have to close if recruitment challenges aren’t resolved.
# recruitment crisis
Labour expert says Fáilte Ireland claim about 40,000 job vacancies in tourism sector 'overblown'
The tourism authority said this week that there is a recruitment crisis in the sector.
All time
# Covid-19
Updated hospitality guidelines: Maskless dancing and tickets to access nightclubs
Ticketing requirement will take effect from next week and will not impact on venues opening this weekend.
# Fáilte Ireland
These 38 locations are being given funding to develop permanent outdoor dining structures
Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme opened for applications in March 2021.
# New Rules
Live music allowed in outdoor settings under updated hospitality guidelines
The update comes following a controversy involving an outdoor event held by former minister Katherine Zappone.
The update comes after advice from the Attorney General, Órla Ryan reports
The latest update comes amid controversy over an event organised by former minister Katherine Zappone
Weddings fall under a different regulation and have an upper limit of 100 guests
# 105 minutes
New pub and restaurant rules 'savaged' by TDs as Tánaiste indicates further changes into the summer
A 105-minute time limit will be in place for indoor dining where there is social distancing of one-metre.
# return to hospitality
Outdoor tables in beer gardens and restaurants limited to six adults as closing time stays at 11.30pm
An additional number of children are also allowed.
# Tourism
Tourism in rural Ireland set to thrive this summer, but cities will suffer, Fáilte Ireland says
Fáilte Ireland say rural destinations are offering the outdoor attractions people are seeking in light of the pandemic.
# outdoor summer
Calls for 'urgent' one-off grants to help restaurants and bars develop outdoor summer seating
The Tánaiste has said he will ask Fáilte Ireland why 18 counties have been excluded from one hospitality scheme.
# pandemic
Tourism firms can apply for grants of up to €200,000 under new scheme
Applications for the TBCS will open on 11 February.
# SEPTEMBER 21
Queuing system for the jacks, individually wrapped straws and everyone out by 11.30pm: Here are the guidelines for pubs reopening
So-called ‘wet pubs’ in Ireland are permitted to reopen from 21 September.
# Fáilte Ireland
Second Fáilte Ireland board member resigns following trip to Spain
Spain is not currently on Ireland’s Green List.
# Pubs
Everyone out by 11.30pm and no time limits where 2m distance maintained - Draft guidelines for pub reopening
Under the draft guidelines group numbers would still be limited to six people from no more than three households.
# Tax Credits
How will the government's 'Stay and Spend' scheme work and how can you claim your tax credits?
Taxpayers can claim back 20% of their spend on food and accommodation as a tax credit.
# Fáilte Ireland
Updated guidance on weddings: All guests out of function room by 11.30pm and face coverings when leaving table
Fáilte Ireland updated its advice to the hospitality industry – including for weddings – on Monday evening.
# michael cawley
Poll: Was the Fáilte Ireland chairman right to resign?
Michael Cawley resigned after it emerged he went on a holiday to Italy.
# michael cawley
Fáilte Ireland chairman resigns after travelling to Italy for foreign holiday
The Irish Independent reported this morning that Michael Cawley abroad for a vacation.
# Staycation
Fáilte Ireland may target Northern Irish visitors to bolster tourism trade
More and more people will be staying on the island for a holiday this summer.
# Staycation
Extra bank holiday not ruled out as tourism industry says Covid-19 impact has been 'catastrophic'
Fáilte Ireland is calling for the VAT rate to be changed to 5% to help the tourism sector.
# close contact
Close encounters: As the country gets busier, how do you know if you're a Covid-19 contact?
Contacting tracing is going to become increasingly important as bars and cafes re-open.
# Explainer
Explainer: How will pubs and restaurants work when they reopen on 29 June?
Pubs and restaurants serving food are expected to reopen in Phase Three
# gargle and grub
What exactly can you get for €9 in a pub? A look at Irish pubs and the meals they serve
How far will your €9 stretch in pubs all across the country?
# Your Say
Poll: Would you go to a pub later this month if you had to spend €9 on a meal?
Fáilte Ireland has received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, due to be published later this week.
# Pints
Two-metre social distancing rule could be reduced to one metre for pubs and restaurants opening this month
Restaurants and pubs which serve food are due to repen at the end of June.
# reopening
Pubs expected to serve 'substantial meals' costing at least €9 if they are to reopen on 29 June
Fáilte Ireland has received guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre regarding food service businesses.
# Tourism
'We've had a slew of bookings since Friday': Hoteliers' plans to reopen in the Covid-19 era
Hoteliers have asked for clarity on small weddings, and live music events this summer.
# new service
Physically distanced dancing and no menus - how a re-opened hospitality sector might look
New guidance was published by Fáilte Ireland.
# outdoors
Over €8 million in funding announced for trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways
A total of €8.4 million has been allocated to 44 projects.
# Fáilte Ireland
Dublin 'desperately needs' more hotels, says tourism body chief
The CEO of Fáilte Ireland also warned that Brexit was proving a challenge to Irish tourism.
Fáilte Ireland makes its biggest investment ever in a tourist attraction to overhaul Galway museum
The agency is ploughing over €6 million into museum and new plaza near Spanish Arch.
# Greyhounds
Taoiseach tells Dáil he goes to the dogs every Christmas, and plans to go to Shelbourne Park again this year
Rural TDs have criticised the suspension of promoting the sport in tourism marketing campaigns.
# Racing
Greyhound board in 'shock' over decision to not promote the sport to tourists
Irish tourism bodies met with the Irish Greyhound Board to inform them of this decision last Thursday.
# Fáilte Ireland
Ireland's top tourist attractions, free and fee-paying, are revealed
Cliffs, castles and theme parks all made it onto the list of Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions.
# Platforms for Growth
Fáilte Ireland pledges €150m to develop new tourist attractions throughout Ireland
The investment will fund projects with the greatest potential to grow tourism across the country.
# Tourism
Calls for Dublin to get its own version of the Wild Atlantic Way
The proposed cycling route would link Kilmainham, Inchicore, Drimnagh and Walkinstown.
# ancient east
'An iconic, bucket list experience': Major international Halloween festival set for Meath this year
Fáilte Ireland wants to attract a further 100,000 visitors to the country through the festival as part of the Ancient East initiative.
# tourism and transport
A major new Halloween festival is tipped to be bigger than New Year's Eve
Fáilte Ireland hopes the large-scale event in Meath will generate €12 million by 2022.
