THE buzz was back on Saturday night with the return to normal pub and restaurant opening hours and the removal of a most pandemic restrictions for the first time in nearly two years. 

“We went from a stroll straight into a marathon,” said Clare VFI Chairperson and Ennis publican Charlie O’Meara, “but it was great to be doing it. We found people were in earlier and there was a lull for an hour or two after 8pm. We didn’t expect that. People were in great form and glad to be out. I think the pattern will settle in a while.”

Miltown publican David O’Brien, of Michael A’s, described the scenes as reminiscent of a St Stephen’s Night. “Nobody was talking about Covid for the first time in a long time,” he said.

“It felt like things were nearly normal again. We know it’s not over, but there was a release for people.”

There’s hope too that the staycation boost will continue. “Miltown got a real benefit with the rise in staycations and got visitors that would only normally come for Willie Clancy week,” David said.

“There’s real optimism now that things are picking up again.”

In the east of the county, Susan McMahon and Martin Butler were delighted to be able to welcome patrons back around the bar at The Cobbler’s Rest.

“It’s like a cloud has been lifted over Bodyke last weekend,” said Susan. “The relief was palpable and there was a great sense of excitement.”

Hope are high are across Clare that the pub trade will recover, but Charlie said continued support from Government will be crucial. “We need five or six months for the sector to recover, we need to get staff back too,” he said.

“Things won’t return to normal at the flick of a switch. 

ENDS