The Megabytes Predictions

Surviving without the Americans

The Americans will not be coming in 2002, for obvious reasons, but believe it or not, it won't matter to many of the smart operators in the business.

In Allos Bar in Listowel, the Thursday night Cuisine of the World theme evenings are packed out with locals, whilst in Kenmare, the ultra-smart Sheen Falls Lodge has been packed out over Xmas and the New year with local trade. Despite 9/11 and foot-and-mouth, many restaurateurs have had their best ever year in 2001.

The motto is simple: FUBU: For Us By Us. If your business has been built organically, and is supported by locals and private tourists, then you are in for another bumper year in 2002.