A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Eowyn Cripples Local Restaurant
Table of Contents
- 1. A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Eowyn Cripples Local Restaurant
- 2. A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Impacts Local Business
- 3. an Interview with Ray O’Connor, Owner of The Old Stone House Restaurant
- 4. storm Éowyn’s Impact: Local Business Owner Calls for Support
- 5. What support and resources are available to businesses in Ballinlough, like The Old Stone House Restaurant, that have been impacted by Storm Éowyn?
- 6. A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Impacts Local Business
- 7. An Interview with Ray O’Connor, Owner of The Old Stone House Restaurant
The Old stone House, a beloved Ballinlough eatery renowned for its award-winning cuisine, is grappling with a devastating setback following the onslaught of Storm Éowyn. The restaurant remains plunged in darkness, with power outages persisting as last Friday, leaving Ray O’Connor, the owner, facing an unimaginable scenario.
The storm’s fury has resulted in the heartbreaking loss of €15,000 worth of perishable goods. Prime cuts of meat, such as striploin and T-bone steaks, along with essential fish and desserts, now lie discarded. “Everything is gone. We are devastated,” O’Connor laments, capturing the profound sorrow felt by him and his dedicated team.
This blow comes on the heels of the economic turmoil inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing O’Connor and his establishment to the brink. The restaurant is facing mounting financial strain,and while O’Connor seeks insurance coverage,his frustration with the lack of government support is palpable.
“We are just gutted with the Government. I have no faith in any of them.No-one is talking about businesses being affected by the storm. Thay knew this storm was coming. I haven’t heard one TD come out and say we are going to help all these businesses that have been closed,” he expresses, his voice laced with a raw sense of disappointment.
The Old Stone House employs approximately 20 people, both full-time and part-time. The uncertainty surrounding the restaurant’s reopening casts a long shadow over their livelihoods. “If they don’t get work, they’re gone. Same for us, we’ll be gone,” O’Connor states, highlighting the precarious situation that threatens the very existence of his restaurant and the livelihoods of his employees.
A brief flicker of hope emerged earlier this week when power was restored. O’Connor,buoyed by the prospect of reopening,began preparing for the return of customers. However, another unexpected outage last Thursday dashed those hopes, plunging the restaurant back into darkness.
With power restoration estimated for tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm, O’Connor remains cautious, his optimism tempered by past disappointments. “I thought we’d be up and running, but it went off again last night,” he shares, voicing a sense of weary resignation. This new setback makes him hesitant to replenish his supplies, trapping him in a frustrating cycle of uncertainty and despair.
A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Impacts Local Business
an Interview with Ray O’Connor, Owner of The Old Stone House Restaurant
Storm Éowyn left a trail of devastation in its wake, impacting businesses and residents alike. Among the hardest hit is The old Stone House Restaurant in Ballinlough,a beloved eatery renowned for its award-winning dishes. Ray O’Connor, the restaurant’s owner, shares exclusively with Archyde News the devastating impact of the storm and the challenging road to recovery.
Archyde: Ray, can you describe the situation at The Old Stone House following Storm Éowyn?
Ray O’Connor: “it’s been a nightmare. We’ve been without power as last Friday, which means we’ve lost €15,000 worth of perishable goods – prime cuts of meat, fresh fish, and desserts – everything’s gone. It’s heartbreaking, realy, for us and our team.”
Archyde: This comes on the heels of economic difficulties faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. How is this latest setback affecting your staff and the restaurant’s future?
Ray O’Connor: “It’s a terrifying prospect. We employ about 20 people, both full-time and part-time. If they don’t get work,they are gone. And if we can’t get back up and running soon, we’ll be gone too. It’s a domino effect.”
Archyde: You mentioned excitement about briefly regaining power earlier this week, onyl for it to be cut again. How is this new setback affecting your ability to operate?
Ray O’Connor: “You know,the brief return of power gave us hope. we were ready to reopen, but then this happened. We’re stuck in limbo, unable to order fresh supplies, and with no guarantee of when power will be restored. They’re saying tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm, but I’m not holding my breath.”
While facing immense adversity, Ray O’Connor underscores the need for government assistance for businesses grappling with the fallout of Storm Éowyn. He points to the lack of support customized for businesses, unlike the aid programs available to individuals impacted by the storm.
Adding to the restaurant’s woes, O’Connor had invested in a new generator late last year, anticipating future power outages after Ballinlough experienced several disruptions in 2024.
“The generator,worth about €25,000,was due to arrive before the end of December,but due to several reasons,it only arrived in the country this morning and now has to go to Dublin for standard checks,” he explains,highlighting the cruel irony of timing.
Like the Old Stone House, the entire village of Ballinlough and surrounding areas have been grappling with a power outage as Friday, demonstrating the widespread impact of Storm Éowyn.
storm Éowyn’s Impact: Local Business Owner Calls for Support
The recent devastating storm, Éowyn, has left its mark on communities across Ireland, causing widespread damage and disruption. For businesses like The Old Stone House in Ballinlough, the storm’s impact has been particularly harsh, leading to closures and financial strain. Ray O’Connor,the owner of The Old Stone House,expressed frustration and disappointment with the lack of government support for businesses affected by the storm.
“I haven’t seen anything concrete for businesses,” O’Connor said. “I know there are assistance programs for individuals, but we’re invisible. We’re just gutted with the government.”
O’Connor emphasized the preemptive knowledge surrounding the storm, stating, “We knew this storm was coming. It’s unprecedented. No one is talking about businesses being affected by the storm. I haven’t heard one TD come out and say we are going to help all these businesses that have been closed.”
Adding to the irony, O’Connor had recently invested in a new €25,000 generator to address recurring power outages experienced in 2024. “Yes, a cruel twist of fate,” O’Connor remarked.”We had ordered it late last year, it was supposed to arrive before December but due to various circumstances, it only arrived this morning and now needs to go to Dublin for standard checks.”
Looking ahead, O’Connor issued a plea for support, highlighting the collective struggle faced by businesses in ballinlough. “We’re hanging on, but we need support.We need visibility. Every business in Ballinlough is dealing with this – the impact ripples beyond just ours.We need help getting back on our feet.”
The storm, according to O’Connor, has exposed vulnerabilities within the community’s infrastructure, underscoring the need for improved preparedness. “This storm has exposed the vulnerability of our community and our infrastructure. It’s a stark reminder that we need better preparedness. But right now,we need action.”
The Old Stone House’s story is a testament to the resilience of local businesses, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they face. It begs the question: what more can be done to support businesses during and after such devastating events?
What support and resources are available to businesses in Ballinlough, like The Old Stone House Restaurant, that have been impacted by Storm Éowyn?
A Recipe for Disaster: Storm Impacts Local Business
An Interview with Ray O’Connor, Owner of The Old Stone House Restaurant
Storm Éowyn left a trail of devastation in its wake, impacting businesses and residents alike. Among the hardest hit is The Old Stone House Restaurant in Ballinlough,a beloved eatery renowned for its award-winning dishes. Ray O’Connor, the restaurant’s owner, shares exclusively with Archyde News the devastating impact of the storm and the challenging road to recovery.
Archyde: Ray, can you describe the situation at The Old Stone House following Storm Éowyn?
Ray O’Connor: “It’s been a nightmare. We’ve been without power since last Friday, which means we’ve lost €15,000 worth of perishable goods – prime cuts of meat, fresh fish, and desserts – everything’s gone. It’s heartbreaking, really, for us and our team.”
Archyde: This comes on the heels of economic difficulties faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. How is this latest setback affecting your staff and the restaurant’s future?
Ray O’Connor: “It’s a terrifying prospect. We employ about 20 people, both full-time and part-time. If they don’t get work, they are gone. And if we can’t get back up and running soon, we’ll be gone too. It’s a domino effect.”
Archyde: You mentioned excitement about briefly regaining power earlier this week, only for it to be cut again. How is this new setback affecting your ability to operate?
Ray O’Connor: “You know, the brief return of power gave us hope. We were ready to reopen, but then this happened. We’re stuck in limbo, unable to order fresh supplies, and with no guarantee of when power will be restored. They’re saying tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm, but I’m not holding my breath.”
Archyde: Given the significant challenges you’ve described, what message do you have for those in positions of power who can perhaps help businesses like yours recover?
Ray O’Connor: “We need support.We need visibility. Every business in Ballinlough is dealing with this – the impact ripples beyond just ours. We are the heart of this community,and we need help getting back on our feet.We need to be seen. We need to be heard.”
