Joe Walsh Tours closes after 60 years in operation

Joe Walsh Tours was founded in 1961 by Joe Walsh, a native of Co Down, who began offering affordable package holidays in Ireland.

Joe Walsh Tours, one of Ireland's oldest and best-known travel agents, has announced it is closed for business.

A statement issued by the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) said, Joe Walsh Pilgrimtours Ltd, which traded under ten different brand names including Joe Walsh Tours,
is "unable to fulfil its obligations to customers" and has ceased trading.

The CAR said: "The Commission operates a consumer protection scheme and, if you find you are out of pocket, you may be covered by this scheme."

"The Commission also operates a Refund Credit Note Scheme. You may be covered by this scheme if your holiday has been cancelled due to Covid-19 and you have yet to receive a refund from Joe Walsh Pilgrimtours Ltd."

Joe Walsh Tours was founded in 1961 by Joe Walsh, a native of Co Down, who began offering affordable package holidays in Ireland.

The company grew into one of Ireland’s biggest travel agents, specialising in tours to pilgrimage destinations such as Lourdes, as well as escorted tours, including through the use of chartered aircraft.

Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the travel agent employed more than 100 people with offices across the EU, UK and US.

The company is now run by Mr Walsh's sons Barry and David Walsh.

The company's directors said the decision to cease trading was made in the "best interest of all concerned."

They said: "We would like to thank, at this time, all our customers over the years.

"We would also like to acknowledge the incredible effort that our staff have made, and for their loyalty and support, particularly during the last year."

In a statement issued this afternoon, Joe Walsh Pilgrimtours confirmed it has not traded since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic but remained open during the period to assist customers with refunds and rebookings.

The company said it did "everything they could to see themselves and their customers through the pandemic.

"Travel protocols in Ireland are the most restrictive in Europe, putting Irish travel companies at a disadvantage to their European counterparts."

The travel agent said that it was unable to trade during the pandemic and was waiting on refunds from suppliers while also paying overheads.

It added that while it has business interruption insurance in place and had hoped to be able to continue trading following a refund claim from the insurers, it has not been possible to reach an agreement with them at this stage.