This Sunday, September 7th, the Garden Kitchen Café in Ardmore will serve its last customers after three years in business.

Owners Jean Murphy and her husband Ken, both accomplished chefs, announced the closure with “very heavy hearts,” citing spiraling costs and financial pressures that have become unsustainable for many small restaurants across Ireland.

Jean, originally from South Africa, and Ken, from Carlow, brought a wealth of culinary experience to the venture. Between them, they worked in renowned kitchens including Ballymaloe and Fota Island Resort before setting up their own food business. While the Ardmore café is closing, their sister premises in Clarenbridge, Kinsalebeg, will remain open, with the couple focusing their energy and resources there.

“It is really difficult times for all small businesses, café owners and small restaurants,” Jean explained. “Rising costs, the increase in minimum wage, electricity bills, and food prices—like butter going from €2.19 a pound to nearly €4—make it impossible to keep going.”

Despite their efforts to cut costs, including covering more shifts themselves, reducing staff, and even expanding their outdoor space to attract more customers, the challenges proved insurmountable. Seasonal trade in Ardmore made winter months especially difficult, leaving them heavily reliant on the support of locals. “They really have been amazing,” Jean said, adding that she feels particularly sad about leaving the community without many dining options during the quieter months.

The decision also highlights broader concerns within Ireland’s hospitality sector. The return of the VAT rate to 13.5% has hit independent cafés and restaurants hard. While the government has suggested reducing it again to 9%, Jean noted that for her business, the relief would come too late. “If they’d already done it, we would have been in a better position now. But we just can’t hold on until that happens.”

All staff from Ardmore will be moving to Clarenbridge, ensuring continuity for their team. Jean and Ken also expressed deep gratitude to their employees, holidaymakers, and especially their loyal local customers.

Though the Ardmore café is closing, Jean remains hopeful that regulars will continue to visit them just a short drive away in Clarenbridge. “We’re only ten minutes from Ardmore, so hopefully people will keep supporting us there,” she said.

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