KILLARNEY’S business community gathered to pay tribute to an entrepreneurial local family celebrating a milestone 50 years in operation.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce held a members’ luncheon in the stylish new Heather restaurant which is the latest venture undertaken by the Moriarty family of the Gap of Dunloe.
First opened as a small souvenir shop by Michael and Margaret Moriarty, in 1964, Moriarty’s has developed into a landmark destination for shoppers, food lovers and garden enthusiasts and its thriving Irish gift store has been a popular port of call for a generation of visitors to Killarney.
The sleek Heather restaurant, located at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Denis Pio and Ailish Moriarty and the emphasis is very much on quality, rustic-style cuisine with a very modern twist, utilising local ingredients.
In keeping with the integrity of one of Ireland’s most scenic attractions, Heather’s quirky interior design blends perfectly with the exterior landscape with the building nestled amongst beautiful gardens, where customers can learn about the flora, fauna, history and geology of the surrounding area.
The shop and restaurant very much remains a family business and founder, Margaret Moriarty, is still involved in its day to day running, as is her daughter Mary Anne and, of course, Denis Pio and Ailish.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President, Johnny McGuire, congratulated the Moriarty family on their golden jubilee celebrations and he said the landmark business has played an important and valuable role in the Killarney tourism industry over the past half century.
The late Michael Moriarty snr, a man ahead of his time in the business community, was one of the guiding hands in the Chamber of Commerce for many years.
* Photography by Valerie O’Sullivan. Click on images to enlarge and for captions
