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Fianna Fáil’s Norma Foley opened the new office of a business illegally renting out properties in her constituency for more than €300 a night.
One of its three properties is a four-bed in Castlegregory owned by a south Dublin-based dentist – advertised for €365 a night. Another is owned by a Los Angeles-based couple who bought the Gaeltacht property mortgage-free and now rent it out for almost €2,000 a week.
Both lack required planning permission for short-term lets.
Children’s minister Foley told attendees at the official opening of Wild Atlantic Aways in Stradbally, Kerry that the business showed “fantastic innovation in spotting a gap in the market”.
"Short-term letting is an important part of the tourism sector in Ireland. I support any business which showcases the beauty and attractiveness of Kerry, and the country as a whole, as a place to visit. For this reason, I was happy to accept the recent invitation to attend the opening of Wild Atlantic Aways’ new hub in Stradbally,” Foley told The Ditch.
It was reported last month that 5,583 children were among the almost 17,500 people homeless in the state and that the numbers in Foley’s constituency had increased.
The Ditch has identified a sample of three of the company’s 19 listed properties.
They’re the respective owners’ second homes and they don’t have the required planning permission to be rented out as short-term lets.
Coincidentally a couple who own a separate property also located in Castlegregory were refused planning permission last month to rent it out for short-term use.
“The proposed development if permitted would result in the withdrawal of the property from the available supply of long-term rental accommodation,” said Kerry County Council in its decision dated 23 June 2026.
A Los Angeles-based couple bought one of Wild Atlantic Aways’ other advertised properties mortgage-free for €370,000 in 2023.
The three-bedroom home in a Gaeltacht area on the Dingle Peninsula is available for €1,715 a week but is almost fully booked for July and August.
A third Wild Atlantic Aways holiday letting, also in Castlegregory, is owned by a Killarney-based couple since 2021 and advertised at €210 a night.
Under planning legislation owners must have planning permission to use their second home for short term lettings.
“The issue of securing planning permission for short-term letting is a matter for individual property owners. All property owners are obliged to comply with their legal obligations,” said Foley to The Ditch.
“However it is important to note that changes are being made by the Government to provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short-term lettings,” she added.
Wild Atlantic Aways declined to comment.
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