Airbnbs’ importance to rural Sligo highlighted as new guidelines set to be announced

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion before the March meeting of Sligo County Council tackled the issue of Airbnb regulations with a motion tabled by Cllr Joe Queenan calling for the Director for Planning to outline the proposed changes to regulations and the effect they will have for tourism.

Addressing his motion Cllr Queenan remarked, “there is a substantial amount of Airbnb s in west Sligo and we need all of them to bring tourists to Sligo.”

Cllr Queenan added, “We are regularising on one level and putting more red tape on another.”

Supporting the motion Cllr Paul Taylor commented, “I’ve been told figures of €15,000-€20,000 to regularise planning. It shouldn’t be at a huge cost to these people and the buildings.”

Cllr Michael Clarke also voiced his support saying, “This is a very important motion, it is vital to our area in west Sligo. Hotels are packed and this is a crucial income to the people who have Airbnb s. Any Airbnb who can establish they are at it for five years should be given planning.”

Cllr Fergal Nealon also voiced his support for the motion saying, “There are a lot of small landlords fleeing the market. For a lot of people this is their pension. An awful lot of Airbnbs, if they are shut down they have no intention of renting out for long term accommodation.”

The motion was also supported by Cllr Dara Mulvey who remarked, “Last month we were issued with a lovely 2026 Visit Sligo booklet but if we have no accommodation we are going to be in trouble. If anyone operating an Airbnb was making huge money they would be gone out of it by now. They are working very hard.”

Cllr Ann Higgins urged against panic when she said, “There is a bit of scaremongering going on here. Regulations are coming in as there was regulations for the B&B market. A bit less of the scaremongering and let’s see what comes out in the guidelines.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Cllr Donal Gilroy who stated, “Let’s wait and see what is to come. It is a business we need in rural areas.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.