‘I cannot proceed into the year ahead while alone in the kitchen’

Garret’s Restaurant on College Street

A popular Killarney restaurant is to close on a permanent basis, with the owner citing an unprecedented shortage of qualified chefs as the reason.

Garret’s on College Street has confirmed on social media that the last dinner service will be on Saturday, January 27 after which the door will be closed ”for the very last time”.

Proprietor Gearóid MacGearailt said he enjoyed a wonderful four years there and he thanked customers for their support.

“A huge thank you to my wonderful staff who have been both loyal and hardworking – I could not have asked for better,” he said.

But he added: “I find myself in the position that I cannot proceed into the year ahead while alone in the kitchen so I have made the very difficult decision to close the restaurant”.

He said he was announcing the decision “with a heavy heart” but the shortage of qualified chefs has left him with no choice.

The restaurant, which enjoyed a very good local trade in addition to the business boost during the tourism season, will continue trading from Thursday to Saturday until January 27 and Mr MacGearailt has said all gift vouchers will be honoured in full.

He also thanked Peter Quill and his family and the late Yvonne Quill – who owned the building – for their support and kindness which, he said, will never be forgotten.

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