When visiting a remote area of spectacular beauty in the South-East recently, my friends and I wandered into an inviting rural, thatched pub – no, not for a pint of Guinness or ale, but in search of that essential late afternoon coffee!
Inside the door, all we could see were pumps of Guinness and Smithwicks and a few bottles of spirits on a shelf. There were a few male customers sitting on stools at the counter. We were surely in the wrong place!
Anyhow, we received a warm welcome from Patsy behind the bar.
We were directed to one of the small tables and “sugan” chairs beside a roaring fire! And it was only then that we saw the coffee machine! In due course, three steaming-hot coffees and homemade scones were delivered to our table. “That will be 12 euros” said Patsy “and the scones are on the house!”
As we sipped, we looked around at the simplicity of the old pub; a picture of the Sacred Heart and Pope John XXIII at either side of the fire, opposite us, a picture of thatchers replacing the thatch last year and another of the local “meitheal” making hay years ago.
We were intrigued by our surroundings. Then, two of the men on the bar stools filled us in on the local history and initiated a brief, friendly exchange.
There was no background music, no loud voice, no T.V. screen, no mobile phone within sight or hearing distance. The delightful ambience evoked many memories of times gone by.
We stayed for about an hour. Patsy thanked us for our visit and pointed out the shortest way home. “We will meet again soon for a chat”, he said “and you are welcome anytime”
We were thrilled with our visit and reminded that the rural pub makes a difference to the lives of both locals and visitors.
B. O ‘S