Latest news with #ReinaldoSeco
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 Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Bloodied but not bowed': Connemara's Misunderstood Heron food truck announces sudden closure
Award-winning food truck Misunderstood Heron, based near Leenane, Co Galway , has announced its sudden closure, citing a planning decision by Galway County Council for the move after eight years in business. Misunderstood Heron posted on social media on Thursday night that it would be closing this weekend. 'Join us for the last weekend of the heron! After eight 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,' said the notice. 'Bloodied but not bowed, we will continue to build our catering, events, and pop-ups (More on this next week). Goodbye to eight jobs, let's make it a weekend to remember.' READ MORE In response to the food truck's online statement, a spokeswoman for Galway County Council said a planning enforcement investigation was carried out last year 'following receipt of a complaint alleging unauthorised activity and development at the location commonly known as the 'Misunderstood Heron cafe' at Killary Fjord in Connemara. 'The result of [the investigation] involved the cessation of the operation and the removal of the unlawful temporary food outlet structure. In recent weeks, however, this unauthorised structure has been repositioned and the unauthorised activity recommenced in or around the same location.' The spokeswoman added that the council has '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'. [ Misunderstood Heron: Connemara jewel where great ingredients are king Opens in new window ] Husband-and-wife duo Reinaldo Seco and Kim Young opened Misunderstood Heron in April 2017. Reinaldo Seco and Kim Young at Misunderstood Heron in 2022. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien/The Irish Times Asked to comment on the council's statement, Ms Young said: 'We take issue with aspects of Galway County Council's statement. However, on the advice of our legal counsel, we will not be making any further comment at this time while the situation remains ongoing.' The seasonal food shack is known not only for its scenic setting but also for its daily-changing menu and use of local ingredients. The Lonely Planet travel guide named it among the world's 10 coolest food trucks in 2019, featuring Misunderstood Heron in its book, Around the World in 80 Food Trucks. The same year, the outlet won Georgina Campbell's inaugural street food of the year award. In 2024, Young and Seco's business was named food truck of the year by the Irish Restaurant Awards. The closure announcement received hundreds of comments in response, including messages of support from fellow food business owners and industry members who are calling on the council to reconsider the case. [ How a food business in the West of Ireland has taken flight Opens in new window ] Chef and restaurateur JP McMahon wrote: 'How can we be a food destination if city and county don't allow food to thrive?' Chef Donal Skehan wrote: 'So disappointed to hear that ... 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.' The Misunderstood Heron in Connemara overlooking Kilary Fjord on the Wild Atlantic Way, photographed in 2017. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien/The Irish Times Others who offered support in the wake of the imminent closure include chefs Neven Maguire and Jess Murphy, and influencer Rozanna Purcell.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Rozanna Purcell, Donal Skehan and Nevin Maguire all lend their support after much-loved Connemara café shut down by Galway County Council
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'. "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? ADVERTISEMENT '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.
