A little bit of Kilcullen good cheer in Landau

The other Brennans PubBrennans Pub in Old Kilcullen is one of those rare places off the beaten track that is nothing short of a real gem, writes Noel Clare. The location, ambience and of course hospitality all combine to provide the ideal local watering hole. You would think there could only be one Brennan's Pub. But there is another, which looks equally inviting, several hundred miles away, in Germany to be precise. And the hospitality there is no doubt as good as that in Old Kilcullen.

The landlady is from Old Kilcullen. Louise Brennan grew up in Old Kilcullen — daughter of Denis and Margaret. Denis's brother Eugene is of course owner of the Old Kilcullen pub. It was in the shadow of that pub that Louise grew up. "My memories of growing up in Old Kilcullen are playing in the fields with my brother and sisters. There was always lots to do, helping on the farm — with the lambs and making the hay. One of the things I miss most of all is waking up every morning to the smell of homemade bread — with a kitchen full of Margaret Brennan's bread. We also had great times going to Knockaulin and to the Round Tower of Old Kilcullen. When we got older we could enjoy a drink in Brennans (also known as The Lobbers and The Tower)". Louise played camogie for many years with Kilcullen and then Moorefield (Newbridge) and even played for county Kildare on a number of occasions.

Louise went to the Cross and Passion graduating in 1993/94 and still has contact with a lot of school friends. "l love it when I come home and go for a coffee or a drink and catch up on old times. I also love Facebook so I can keep updated with the happenings at home." In fact Louise claims that she keeps her parents updated with the local news! (Something that is not unusual for those living abroad who keep up to date through social media).

In 1994 Louise went to work as an au-pair in Munich for local woman Orla Connolly (daughter of Josie). Two years later she moved to Landau in der Pfalz where she met her partner of 17 years, Mark Swindlehurst (a carpenter) from Lancashire, England. Louise and Mark have two daughters Lucy aged eight and Emma five.

"In 2000 we decided to open 'Brennan's Pub' We spent seven long months renovating an old German pub into a traditional Irish Pub. We travelled all over Germany picking up bric and brac from the Irish Pubs that were closing down. On the 10th of March 2001 we opened 'Brennan's Pub', and 12 years later the pub is still going strong."

Landau is on the Deutsche Weinstrasse (the German Wine Street). Landau is a university town with a population of over 41,000. Brennan's Pub is very popular with the old and the young people, the Germans love the Irish culture (drinking and the music!). The pub regularly has live Irish music and Louise claims that it has the BEST pint of GUINNESS for miles — "or here in Germany it's kilometers".

Some of the locals from Landau have travelled to Ireland and have had a good night or two in Brennan's of Old Kilcullen. Louise's parents Denis and Margaret have been regular visitors in Germany and have made some good friends there. That means that Denis can enjoy a few pints in good company so that its home away from home when over there.

Like everyone else living and working abroad Louise does miss home. "I really hate that my girls are missing time with their grandparents and their cousin Ruairi and that they don't have the freedom to run around the big open fields, chasing the lambs, as we did growing up. But at least I have a good pub to cheer me up and I particularly love when family and friends come to visit and have a good time in the area, and of course in 'Brennans Pub Landau'.

This article was first published in The Bridge — Kilcullen's Community Magazine.