Latest news with #galwaycountycouncil
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.
