Local concerns over plan for hotels tax hike

An open letter has been sent to Dail deputies by Michael Walsh, Representative of South East Branch, Irish Hotels Federation – representing 35 local businesses in Kilkenny and Carlow – to highlight growing concerns about plans in September to increase consumer taxes on Irish hospitality and tourism.

Government estimates indicate that the proposed increase in VAT to 13.5% would see people paying an additional €560m in taxes each year, said Mr Walsh. at’s a 50% increase in taxes on everything from the price of a cup of co ee, to the price of a meal out, a stay in a hotel or guesthouse and the cost of social events such as weddings.

In his open letter he says:

“ is is at a time when people’s personal nances are already under signi cant pressure due to the cost-ofliving crisis. With in ation remaining persistently high, consumer prices are forecast to be more than 16% higher in 2024 than they were in 2021. Meanwhile, households are also being squeezed by soaring mortgage interest rates, with more increases to come.

History was created in St Lachtain’s Church of Ireland, Freshford recently when the 12th century Shrine of St Lachtain’s Arm was displayed there for the first time. On a one day loan to Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre, the Shrine was displayed courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland. St Lachtain’s is one of the oldest living church sites in Ireland with a service every Sunday morning at 10.00 am. More than 700 people passed through the church on the day to view the shrine.

St Lachtain is patron saint of Freshford. He founded a monastery there around 570 AD. Last year the 1400th anniversa - ry of the death of Lachtain was commemorated with a year-long festival which also marked more than 1400 years of worship on this site. St Lachtain’s Arm is a bronze reliquary. It once housed the relics of the saint’s right arm but these have been long lost. The reliquary was made between the years 1118 and 1121 and was dedicated to the McCarthys, kings of Munster and to Diarmait, a successor of Lachtain in Freshford. As well as being used as a reliquary, it was also used to swear oaths and as a battle talisman. The O’Helys, Lords of Donoughmore in Cork, had ownership of the shrine but lost pos - session after the Reformation. It formed part of the Fountaine collection in England until 1884 when it was returned to Ireland, making it one of the first artefacts to be repatriated from England to its country of origin. It now forms part of the Treasures of Ireland exhibition at the National Museum.

The proceedings at Freshford on the historic occasion were opened with an ecumenical blessing by Monsignor Kieron Kennedy, PP and the Very Rev. Stephen Farrell, Dean of Ossory and Rector of Freshford.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr. Malcolm

Noonan, T.D., congratulated all at Ionad Lachtain Heritage Centre on the historic achievement of showing the shrine at Freshford.

Representing the Museum, Ms Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Antiquities, spoke on the policy of showing pieces of the museum’s collection at local level, while Dr Griffin Murray, a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at U.C.C. and acknowledged expert on the shrine, spoke about its history.

On behalf of the committee at Ionad Lachtain, Ned Kennedy welcomed and thanked all who helped to bring the occasion to fruition.

“ is has a knock-on e ect on the decisions the average person makes when decid- ing whether or not to spend money on discretionary items such as going out for a meal with family and friends or taking a short break in Ireland. Tourism and hospitality are particularly vulnerable and invariably one of the rst to take the hit. Increasing taxes on already hard-pressed consumers is therefore the last thing the country needs,” he says.

“From a tourism perspective, the current 9% VAT is the right rate for Ireland. It is in line with average rates of tourism VAT across Europe. Increasing the rate of VAT paid by consumers to 13.5% would make us an outlier among our competitors. We would have the third highest tourism VAT in Europe, which would seriously undermine our international competitiveness and ability to attract visitors.

“ e reality is that Ireland is already one of the most expensive places in the world in which to live and do business. Recent gures show that general consumer prices in Ireland are the highest in the EU at over 46% above the average.

“ is begs the question we are asking all TDs to consider: Why should Ireland, as an island destination, have the third highest tourism VAT rate in all of Europe?”

Hitching up at Lyrath

Estate for a July date

Lyrath Estate will host its exclusive Wedding Showcase on Sunday July 16, from 1pm to 5pm. is beautiful event provides the perfect opportunity for the couple-to-be, or for mothers, daughters, bridesmaids, and friends to sample everything that is on o er at Lyrath Estate from room décor, cuisine, and lots of other elements that make a couple’s dream day perfect.

is showcase also provides the opportunity to meet with the Lyrath Estate wedding team and guests will also get the chance to see the rooms set up for a wedding to give them a true visualisation of the day.

Contact the Lyrath Wedding Team at weddings@lyrath. com or call them on 0567705845.

For more see www.lyrath. com

Words and photos by Pat Shortall

Templemartin is approximately three miles from Kilkenny city. e graveyard adjoins the ruins of the ancient monastic church on a site a little over a quarter of an acre in size. Its most prominent feature is the arched Romanesque Doorway, which is still in relatively good condition. Gravestones are scattered haphazardly and randomly throughout. e holy well of St. Martin is reputed to lie in what is locally known as Mrs. Quirke’s bog a short distance north of the old church. e last burial took place there in 1991; it was that of local lady, Helena (Lena) Lennon. e rst headstone mention of her deceased relatives dates to 1929. Representatives from the local community, with the assistance of Kilkenny Co. Council, regularly complete the necessary tasks for the upkeep of the site. e patron Saint of Templemartin ( omple –Waurthan) was St. Martin of Tours, the Roman army o cer who became the third Bishop of Tours. St. Martin is famously associated with