Gardaí had to restrict access to the carpark at a popular Clare beach for a time this afternoon as hundreds descended on the area to take advantage of the fine weather.

The company has reached out to groups impacted by COVID-19 such as the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has criticised the Government’s measures to help the hotel industry during the Covid-19 epidemic, saying they don’t go far enough.

Calls to eliminate VAT on accommodation and food services to 0% immediately until the crisis passes.

They want payments to Revenue, banks, and local authorities to be postponed as a first step in supporting the sectors.

Irish business and trade union leaders said they stand ready to work with government in a national effort to face down the Covid-19 crisis, but warn that they need more help to prevent firms from going under.

Whether the guests may kiss the bride and hug the groom will be "entirely up to themselves" in church weddings in the Diocese of Kerry.

Meanwhile, hotels across the country will also take a financial hit with the cancellation of parades.

Here is a selection of people starting new roles with businesses in Ireland, including the Irish Banking Culture Board, Bord Bia, Causeway: Ireland Scotland Business Exchange, the Irish Hotels Federation and Sodexo.

An investigation is underway following the demolition of a building on Cork’s MacCurtain Street to pave the way for a €7m ‘city-sleeper’ hotel.

Irish hotels are bracing for loss of over 100,000 bookings from China in coming months due to the coronavirus, according to the Irish Hotels Federation.

Ireland’s tourism industry is under “considerable pressure”, with costs, Brexit uncertainty, and the coronavirus all potential headwinds this year, a leading economist has warned.

Ireland continues to have a two-tier tourism industry with the regions bearing the brunt of the slowdown the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has said.

The Irish Hotels Federation has urged all candidates in tomorrow’s election to commit to decisive action in support of the continued growth of Irish tourism.

A coalition of business leaders, hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs in Cork say their focus remains on doing everything possible to ensure the delivery of the Cork event centre as it faces yet about obstacle.

Dublin City Council is set to launch a fresh bid to charge a hotel bed tax or visitor levy on tourists to the capital.

Fáilte Ireland has appointed two well-known business leaders as non-executive members of its board.

The drinks industry is calling on the Government to reduce the excise tax on alcohol by 15% over the next two years in a bid to prevent the closure of pubs and off-licences.

Research commissioned by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) said Government had to match the level of private investment in tourism in the regions post-Brexit.

One of Cork’s best-known hotels, the Vienna Woods near Glanmire, has changed ownership for an undisclosed figure.

Cork business tourism chiefs are targeting agriculture, food, space, neonatal, and maritime-themed conferences as they look to grow the industry by 8% to €14m this year.

Almost four out of five hotels have seen their insurance premiums hiked in the past year by an average of 15%, according to a report by the industry's main representative body.

Hoteliers have insisted the 9% Vat rate remains essential to the sector, despite room prices surpassing Celtic Tiger levels and the Exchequer missing out on an estimated €491m yearly from the tax incentive.

Geoff Percival International hotel chain, Vienna House, is considering a move into the Irish market. It is taking on alternative accommodation providers, such as Airbnb.

A TD has complained that the “taxpayer was ripped off” after he was forced to pay above the odds for B&B accommodation in Dublin this week.

A new organisation which includes the Irish Hotels Federation and the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has demanded an end to what it calls “crippling insurance premiums”.

Business organisations have largely welcomed the Brexit hard border breakthrough, but cautioned that there is a long road ahead in negotiations, before trade arrangements become certain.

More than 20,000 homes and businesses were left without power across Kerry yesterday as Storm Ophelia wreaked havoc from the early hours.