Clare County Council is being urged to speed up it's timetable for post-storm repairs in Kilkee.
The Council says it's seeking a contractor to carry out a wide range of repairs in and around the town, and that it's hoped these will be completedby June, but businesspeople fear this will be too late and could damge trade.
The mass bank holiday exodus, beginning this afternoon, will see thousands flock to Ireland's tourist hotspots, including Kilkee.
It's also the first of three bank holidays in six weeks, so this weekend marks the beginning of a busy time in the area where tourism is vital.
However, in the West Clare town concern has been expressed that unrepaired damage from storms earlier this year will leave a sour taste in the mouth for visitors.
While businessman Paul Williams, whose gift shop has the town's official visitor information point, says some tourists have already left because of the situation there.
The damage in Kilkee was primarily caused by storm Bridget on February 1st.
The Council is finishing tender documents for a wide range of works on walls and paving as well as the stone slipway at Marine Parade and the staircase at Sykes Corner.
More extensive damage to the famine-era Strand Line won't be finished before the end of the tourist season, but the remainder are on course to be completed by mid-June.
However, locals say this is too far into the tourist season, while town resident and businessperson Eileen Mulcahy can't understand why there has been a delay to this point.
