Loss of Quality hits quantity for Youghal as it faces tourism accommodation shortfall

Two of Youghal's three hotels have been converted to care centres for those fleeing war in Ukraine. Now local hospitality owners wonder where this summer's tourists will reside?

The Captain Ahab statue overlooks the Tourist Office and Visitor Centre with the Old Clock Tower on an empty street in Youghal recently. Picture: Howard Crowdy

As the sun beamed down on Youghal in recent days, it failed to hide the air of gloom hanging over a town that faces into a summer without tourist accommodation in two of its three hotels.

News of the conversion of the Quality Hotel at Red Barn to a care centre for Ukrainian refugees emerged locally over a week ago, shortly after the Old Imperial Hotel in the town centre also switched to accommodating Ukrainian refugees for at least a number of months. That facility has 18 bedrooms, while the Quality Hotel has 48 apartments, as well as 25 hotel rooms of varying sizes.