Latest news with #MisunderstoodHeron
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Popular Connemara food truck Misunderstood Heron avoids closure with relocation to Mayo tourist spot
With the sun splitting the stones, it's a good news day for food truck Misunderstood Heron as it finds a new place to nest. The award-winning food truck, which was named one of the world's 10 coolest food trucks by the Lonely Planet travel guides six years ago, had recently announced its closure at its site outside Leenane, Co Galway . But just three weeks after the sudden announcement it is back in business following a link-up with BigStyle Lodge at P Dan's, a landmark location near Louisburgh at Killadoon in south Co Mayo . The food truck has been parked up for now as husband-and-wife team Reinaldo Seco and Kim Young, who opened the business in April 2017, take their menu indoors to run the food offering at P Dan's bar. READ MORE They will continue to serve up some signature dishes, such as their smoky chilli Killary Fjord mussels a la cholita as well as fresh takes on bar fare such as bavette steak with chimmi churri. By heading indoors and operating out of a purpose-built property, the Heron avoids the planning issues it ran into at its Leenane location. It can now offer creature comforts, including toilets, to its clientele. Pub grub will be a new departure for the couple – a mix of small plates and big plates with side dishes, Kim explains. 'We're taking over the kitchen and running it for three months. We're inching in slowly. It will be waited seats, table service and stuff we really like. We're going to have a little section of the bar to serve Cloud Picker coffee.' The collaboration is being run out of P Dan's, Kris Goodbody says. Several years ago, he and business partner Ben McDonald, both Dubliners, started a kitesurfing school in the capital and organised surfing breaks in the west. Misunderstood Heron's food truck in its former location beside Killary Fjord, Leenane Since 2019, through BigStyle, they have offered all-inclusive adventure sport trips with accommodation in the rooms above the pub, after owners Bernie and Paraic Dan O'Malley approached them to take over the premises, then called Ocean Lodge. They changed the name to P Dan's the same year. In Goodbody's words, what they offer is 'a tropical surf destination built for the northwest with a firepit outside and a turf-burning stove inside'. They also run yoga classes and operate the Big Dipper sauna, plunge pool and hot tub on the site, which has spectacular views over Cross Beach and Cross lake. It means you can come for a surf class and stay for the food and drink, or even make a weekend of it, all on the Wild Atlantic Way overlooking one of its best beauty spots. Big Dipper Sauna and Hot Tub beside P Dan's bar Louisburgh which is to host Misunderstood Heron food truck This three-way thinking, bringing local talent, together makes Killadoon a destination in its own right. [ Jess Murphy: 'Everybody's equal in my kitchen – whether you wash dishes or cook on an open fire grill' Opens in new window ] 'We've worked really well with BigStyle,' Bernie says. 'You have a local bar vibe, surfing, hill walking and organic food. They're not afraid to push the boat out and have really interesting options.' Menu prices are still being finalised, but Kim expects dishes to range from €10 to €28. From next week Misunderstood Heron will serve food from 1pm to 8pm, five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday. ; ;
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘We had no option' – Galway County Council defends decision to shut down popular food truck
Misunderstood Heron has been operating since 2017 Today at 03:00 Galway County Council has defended its decision to issue a closure notice to the Misunderstood Heron food truck as they say they were 'left with no choice'. During a county council meeting on Monday, April 28, Chief Executive Liam Conneally said that there had never been any planning applications made by the Misunderstood Heron to develop and operate in the Leenane area. In recent weeks, the council were contacted by a member of the public regarding 'unauthorised activity and development' on the site which prompted them to take action. Mr. Conneally said: 'The first proposal for Killary leisure centre was in 1997. Since then a total of 28 planning applications have been made for this area. None of them had ever been made by the Misunderstood Heron and it was on that basis, on the basis of a complaint made by a member of the public, we had no option but to continue on with the planning proposal process.' Operated by husband-and-wife Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco since 2017, the café had become a staple of journeys to Connemara for its blend of Chilean and Irish cuisine but in a shock announcement last week, promptly shut following the close of business on Sunday, April 27. In a post shared on social media, the Leenane-based food truck announced their last weekend of trading would take place on Saturday, April 26, having been 'shut down' by planners at Galway County Council. Since the announcement, an outpouring of messages in support of the award-winning café have followed in response. Over 1,000 comments have been left on the initial post. Well-known Irish figures have also paid tribute to the café on Instagram and called for a resolution to be found. In one comment, Rozanna Purcell urged Galway County Council to find a solution, calling the café a 'destination stop' and an example of a 'great thriving Irish business', with broadcaster Louise McSherry also expressing her disappointment at the decision. A host of popular chefs from across Ireland such as JP McMahon and Neven Maguire also paid tribute to the popular eatery, with the latter expressing dismay of 'an amazing place with incredible food and people'. TV chef Donal Skehan also shared his condolences with the owners of Misunderstood Heron, as well as slamming the council for a decision he described as 'ridiculous'. "So disappointed to hear that – without a doubt a shining example of just how interesting food business can be done. I hope for the sake of locals and the many tourists who have this on their list @galwaycountycouncil turn this ridiculous decision on its head,' he said. Despite the enforced closure, the Misunderstood Heron say that they will persist with other ventures, such as catering and pop-ups, saying that more information will be revealed next week.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Galway County Council says it was ‘left with no choice' but to shut down popular food truck
During a county council meeting on Monday, April 28, Chief Executive Liam Conneally said that there had never been any planning applications made by the Misunderstood Heron to develop and operate in the Leenane area. In recent weeks, the council were contacted by a member of the public regarding 'unauthorised activity and development' on the site which prompted them to take action. Mr. Conneally said: 'The first proposal for Killary leisure centre was in 1997. Since then a total of 28 planning applications have been made for this area. None of them had ever been made by the Misunderstood Heron and it was on that basis, on the basis of a complaint made by a member of the public, we had no option but to continue on with the planning proposal process.' Operated by husband-and-wife Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco since 2017, the café had become a staple of journeys to Connemara for its blend of Chilean and Irish cuisine but in a shock announcement last week, promptly shut following the close of business on Sunday, April 27. In a post shared on social media, the Leenane-based food truck announced their last weekend of trading would take place on Saturday, April 26, having been 'shut down' by planners at Galway County Council. Since the announcement, an outpouring of messages in support of the award-winning café have followed in response. Over 1,000 comments have been left on the initial post. Well-known Irish figures have also paid tribute to the café on Instagram and called for a resolution to be found. In one comment, Rozanna Purcell urged Galway County Council to find a solution, calling the café a 'destination stop' and an example of a 'great thriving Irish business', with broadcaster Louise McSherry also expressing her disappointment at the decision. A host of popular chefs from across Ireland such as JP McMahon and Neven Maguire also paid tribute to the popular eatery, with the latter expressing dismay of 'an amazing place with incredible food and people'. TV chef Donal Skehan also shared his condolences with the owners of Misunderstood Heron, as well as slamming the council for a decision he described as 'ridiculous'. "So disappointed to hear that – without a doubt a shining example of just how interesting food business can be done. I hope for the sake of locals and the many tourists who have this on their list @galwaycountycouncil turn this ridiculous decision on its head,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the enforced closure, the Misunderstood Heron say that they will persist with other ventures, such as catering and pop-ups, saying that more information will be revealed next week.
Extra.ie
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Celebs rally around popular food truck after being 'shot down' by council
Irish celebs have rallied around a popular food truck in Co Galway after it was shut down by the county council. Misunderstood Heron, located in the Killary Fjord in Leenane, Connemara, announced that they were being shut down by Galway County Council over planning permission. The food truck announced they were closing after this weekend (April 27), with the owners saying that they're 'bloodied but not bowed.' 'After 8 years of blood, sweat, and tears of building up what's now the misunderstood heron, we find ourselves shot down by the @galwaycountycouncil planning department,' the food truck — once voted as one of the coolest in the world by Lonely Planet — wrote on Instagram. 'Bloodied but not bowed, we will continue to build our catering, events, and pop-ups (More on this next week). Goodbye to 8 jobs, let's make it a weekend to remember.' People were devastated by the news, from locals to celebs on the Irish scene; with 2FM DJ Carl Mullan commenting: 'Ah lads so sorry to hear this. What a spot.' Irish celebs have rallied around a popular food truck in Co Galway after it was shut down by the county council. Pic: Misunderstood Heron/Instagram Roz Purcell also called out Galway County Council for the closure of the food truck, writing 'this cafe is a destination stop & an example of such a great thriving Irish business. @galwaycountycouncil is this not something to be protected & supported? Hope there's a resolution/ nearby location found,' while Donal Skehan called for the 'ridiculous' decision to be reversed. 'So disappointed to hear that- without a doubt a shining example of just how interesting food business can be done- I hope for the sake of locals and the many tourists who have this on their list @GalwayCountyCouncil turn this ridiculous decision on its head,' Donal wrote. 'We absolutely loved featuring you in a tv series which has been show in 47 countries and your story which is such an inspiration.' A sopkesperson for Galway County Council said that a planning enforcement investigation was carried out last year after a complaint surrounding alleged 'unauthorised activity' at the food truck. The truck is run by husband and wife Reinaldo Seco and Kim Young, who plan on doing other ventures with the truck. Pic: Misunderstood Heron/Instagram 'The result of [the investigation] involved the cessation of the operation and the removal of the unlawful temporary food outlet structure,' the statement continued. 'In recent weeks, however, this unauthorised structure has been repositioned and the unauthorised activity recommenced in or around the same location. '[The council] had ongoing engagement with the operator of the cafe and has made numerous requests to those responsible that efforts would be made to regularise the planning issues at this site.' In 2019, Misunderstood Heron was voted as one of the coolest food trucks in the world by Lonely Planet; being the only Irish one at the time to make the list. The food truck is run by husband and wife team Reinaldo Seco and Kim Young, who opened it in April 2017. Ms Young said that they took issue with the council's statement, but the issue is ongoing so declined to comment further when approached by the Irish Times.
Sunday World
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Rozanna Purcell, Donal Skehan and Nevin Maguire all lend their support after much-loved café shut down by Galway County Council
Operated by husband-and-wife Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco since 2017, the café had become a staple of journeys to Connemara for its blend of Chilean and Irish cuisine but will promptly shut following the close of business on Sunday, April 27. Donal Skehan on the set of his new show Locals in Connemara have expressed outrage following the sudden news that popular café Misunderstood Heron is to close. In a post shared on social media, the Leenane-based food truck announced their last weekend of trading will take place commencing from Saturday, April 26, having been 'shut down' by planners at Galway County Council. Operated by husband-and-wife Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco since 2017, the café had become a staple of journeys to Connemara for its blend of Chilean and Irish cuisine but will promptly shut following the close of business on Sunday, April 27. An outpouring of messages in support of the award-winning café have followed in response. Over 1,000 comments have been left on the initial post. Well-known Irish figures have also paid tribute to the café on Instagram and called for a resolution to be found. In one comment, Rozanna Purcell urged Galway County Council to find a solution, calling the café a 'destination stop' and an example of a 'great thriving Irish business', with broadcaster Louise McSherry also expressing her disappointment at the decision. A host of popular chefs from across Ireland such as JP McMahon and Neven Maguire have also paid tribute to the popular eatery, with the latter expressing dismay of 'an amazing place with incredible food and people'. In one eye-catching tribute, TV chef Donal Skehan also shared his condolences with the owners of Misunderstood Heron, as well as slamming the council for a decision he described as 'ridiculous'. Donal Skehan on the set of his new show "So disappointed to hear that – without a doubt a shining example of just how interesting food business can be done. I hope for the sake of locals and the many tourists who have this on their list @galwaycountycouncil turn this ridiculous decision on its head,' he said. Galway County Council have been contacted for response by The Irish Independent but are yet to respond to the query. In hopes of saving the business, fellow Lennane-based café The Purple Door has released a statement calling for the local community to take immediate action to save the Misunderstood Heron, who have said that eight jobs will be lost as a result of the closure. 'This isn't just about pasties and mussels, or Irish and Chilean food fusion, it's about fairness, passion and the heart of small business. Why target a family-run food truck that's served us for years? 'They're the backbone of our community- employing locals and creating a space where everyone feels welcome. The council claims it's about 'regulations' but where's the support to help small businesses thrive instead of pushing them out? 'This feels like another case of bureaucracy favouring big corporations over hardworking entrepreneurs,' the statement concluded. Despite the enforced closure, the Misunderstood Heron say that they will persist with other ventures, such as catering and pop-ups, saying that more information will be revealed next week.
