Galway businesses to experience disruption during royal visit
By Katherine Condon and Sharon Dolan D’Arcy
Some Galway businesses will experience disruption by having to temporarily close their doors during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Thursday.
This is despite a Garda statement issued yesterday saying that, ”no premises have been closed and the city centre remains open for business.”
Final preparations were underway in Galway city centre today ahead of the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this Thursday. Signposts were being freshly painted and streets cleaned by city council workers. There was a light Garda presence in the area of lower Shop Street and Mainguard Street with the emphasis being placed on liaising with the local business community.
Several businesses reported to the Galway Pulse that they are being advised that the royal couple will visit Tig Cóili on Mainguard Street where they will sample the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub before visiting St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church nearby. St. Nicholas’ is marking its 700th anniversary this year.
Maeve Colleran of Colleran Butchers on Mainguard Street told the Galway Pulse that although some businesses have been told to close between 10am and 12pm on the day, her family business is not one of them and will remain open.
Martin Lally of Taaffe’s on Shop Street said that despite the fact that his pub will have to close for a few hours, he welcomed the royal visit as it would be a good thing for Galway overall.
The businesses who Gardai asked to temporarily close during the royal visit to the city centre include: Tig Cóili, Claddagh Jewellers, Ausoba, Healy’s Barbers and Evergreen.
