RTE star misses major Irish event as UK air traffic control issue cancels Dublin Airport flights
She added that, though Ryanair had said they were going to get them a hotel for the night, after they spent an hour or two waiting to hear where they were going, they received texts saying that the airline was ‘unable to source hotels due to limited availability’
A Galway television presenter has missed out on playing a major Irish event due to the air traffic control issues which grounded UK flights on Tuesday.
Freelancer Meghann Scully - who has worked for RTE, TG4, Newstalk and Virgin Media - was among the thousands who was affected by the flight disruptions.
What’s even worse for Meghann though is the fact that she was supposed to be featuring in the Amgen Irish Open Pro-Am.
Meghann, who has also worked for our sister site Limerick Live, was set to be playing with former Clare hurler Podge Collins and former Galway hurler Joe Canning on Wednesday morning - but is sadly still stranded in France.
Speaking to this publication from her hotel room in Nantes this Wednesday morning, she explained: “I only got asked to take part in it just the other week, and I was like, ‘Oh sure look, I’ll go for it’. I’m only a beginner golfer but it’s a great opportunity and I’ve been following golf for the last few years and know quite a few of the golfers. When I saw the list of who else was taking part in the Pro-Am, I just felt like, ‘Oh, this would be good craic’.”
Her flight was due to take off at 6.30pm on Tuesday evening from Nantes, landing into Dublin that same evening.
However, following a UK air traffic control issue, the Galway native’s flight was one of dozens cancelled.
“I spent hours looking at other routes out of Nantes to get home,” she said. “I was looking at driving to places, I was looking at flying overnight, but it was just all so chaotic, for everyone involved, and I was like, I just need to cut my losses and say goodbye to the Pro-Am.”
The cost incurred by the cancellation is also a “huge thing” for her and everyone else affected.
“Trying to find flights and looking at different airlines - you’re looking at hundreds of euro. So I was like, am I being a bit ridiculous now? Spending loads of money just to get back for the morning.”
She added that, though Ryanair had said they were going to get them a hotel for the night, after they spent an hour or two waiting to hear where they were going, they received texts saying that the airline was “unable to source hotels due to limited availability”.
The text, which she shared on her Instagram stories, added: “Please arrange your own accommodation, keep your receipts and submit reasonable expenses.”
That caused “a bit of pandemonium”, she explained, saying that she’s not sure when they’ll be reimbursed for their expenses.
“I’ve been in these situations before, and obviously there’s much worse going on in the world,” she said. “So, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that bad. I think it’s just that initial shock can cause panic when you feel stranded and stuck somewhere.”
“We’re happy and we’re healthy and that’s the main thing.”
Her friends, who got tickets to the Pro-Am to support her, will still be attending the event to go cheer on the others.
Meghann will hopefully be flying home on Wednesday evening.