This article is from page 11 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
THE shortage of banking services in one of Clare’s most popular tourist towns is encouraging visitors to do business elsewhere in the region.
Clare County Councillor Richard Nagle (FF) has expressed his concern at the lack of an ATM service in the northwest town of Lisdoonvarna.
The town, famed for its matchmaking festival every September, has no public ATM service where visitors or locals can access cash.
Instead they must travel eight miles to the nearest bank link in Ennistymon.
Cllr Nagle told The Clare People that the absence of a bank link is a major disadvantage to Lisdoonvarna.
“I have had representations on a number of occasions from local people. They want a Banklink service,” he said.
“This is something we need to actively pursue,” he added.
“It is a major inconvenience and disadvantage for locals and tourists. People travel out of the area to get money and then spend it elsewhere.”
The north Clare county councillor worries that the lack of the essential service will linger on people’s mind.
“If people have a negative experience that is what they tend to remember,” he said.
As well as the thousands of people who flood into the town every September in search of Mister or Miss Right, hundreds more arrive in the town every week during the summer months to enjoy their holidays.
Local representatives and business people in the town fear that the lack of banking services may dissuade them from a return visit.