Kilcullen pubs say #SupportNotSympathy

Kilcullen's non-food pubs have joined in a national call to be treated fairly in terms of reopening, marking five months since their businesses closed because of coronavirus restrictions, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative is also supported by local pub-restaurants, which had previously been open but are closed since the new restrictions in Kildare.

The effort under the #SupportNotSympathy tag and with the backing of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, seeks a 'meaningful' support package for all pubs who are being asked to stay closed due to the public health requirements.

"We're asking the government to trust us to open our pub," say Mary and Mick Masterson of McTernans, "and welcome all our customers/friends into our safe and friendly environment."

READ: Government 'has split the pub industry' - Tommy Dignam. 

All day today, the VFI has been posting pictures of closed pubs from around the country, on its Facebook page.

The VFI notes that The Re-start Grant Plus scheme is being provided by the Government to all business sectors, including hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, hotels as well as pubs who serve food.

“Pubs want the opportunity to trade responsibly,” says Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of the VFI. “The pubs that are still closed can’t wait to get their doors open again, to interact with their customers and to earn a living. These businesses will abide by the public health requirements, they just want the same chance as was granted to the rest of the economy.

“The clear preference of pubs is to reopen, but if the Government won’t let them then they owe these pubs special support. They are being denied their right to trade due to the public health situation and they should receive meaningful assistance for as long as that continues. It is also critical that should there be any further delays to reopening that the Government simultaneously announces a support package. The survival of these businesses depends on it."

Saying that ordinary pubs 'have been left in the lurch', Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, says few in the industry expect they will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month. A Pub Support Package would remove the income uncertainty which is currently leaving these pubs at breaking point. "As the Government has ring-fenced these pubs from the rest of the economy, it’s time they ring-fenced specific support for closed pubs too,” he says.


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Hideout in finals for 2018 Pub of the Year

Mark Power Diageo; Carmel Smith, The Hideout Gastro Pub, Kilcullen; and Padraic McGann, VFI President.

The Hideout is one of nine pubs in the Eastern Region of the Vintners Federation of Ireland that will be in the final of the 2018 National Pub Awards, writes Brian Byrne.

The pub was selected at the regional finals last week, held in Lock 13 in Sallins.

The nine pubs were selected for different categories, with The Hideout garnering the Best Local Pub category sponsored by Diageo.

The national finals, where national category winners and the overall Irish Pub of the Year will be announced, are on 21 November at the RDS Concert Hall in Dublin. There will be 63 pubs in contention at the finals, from the seven regions of the VFI.

The prize package for all finalists will include a management training course to help them progress their business further. They will also avail of comprehensive media coverage at local and national level, including a feature in the special awards supplement published in the Irish Independent on the day of the Gala Awards Ceremony.

The other East Region category winners were Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue, Portlaoise – Innovative Pub of the Year sponsored by Bank of Ireland Payment Acceptance; The Central Bar, Navan – Best Music Pub sponsored by IMRO; Micky Finns, Redcross, Co Wicklow – Best Tourist Pub sponsored by Molson Coors; The Terrace at Dinn Rí, Carlow Town – Best Outdoor Space sponsored by Bulmers; Silken Thomas Pub, Kildare Town – Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Heineken; The Brass Fox, Wicklow Town – Best Newcomer sponsored by Hennessy; The Hanged Man’s Pub, Milltown, Newbridge– Best Food Pub sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace; Percy Clendennen, Giltraps Pub, Kinnitty, Co Offaly – Pub Personality of the Year sponsored by Irish Distillers, Pernod Ricard.

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Breaking Bad in O'Connells

The Ballyknocken based group Breaking Bad are familiar performers in O'Connells Bar, being one of three or four regulars popular enough to bring back again and again, writes Brian Byrne.

We heard them in a packed O'Connells last night, and even above the ambient noise their best of 70s/80s/90s rock playbill was very much appreciated.

More pictures, as usual, here.

Bardonstina!

A big night in Bardons tonight, as the pub's team Argentina plays Holland in the critical second semi-final.

Pool tournament

The McTernan's fourth annual Singles Pool Championships get under way Monday evening.

The competition guarantees a prize fund of 1,000 euros plus trophies.

The draw takes place this evening.

Hideout Christmas programme

The Hideout Christmas Dinner menu is a full four-courser with all the trimmings for 28 euros a head. And mine host Martin Myles is organising special nights on December 18, 23, 24 and New Year's Eve. That last is a 40 euros a head gala that includes a mulled wine start and champagne to toast in 2007.

By then, of course, 15 lucky customers will have collected their winnings in the annual Christmas Draw, which this year has a top prize of 2006 euros. Other key prizes include a traditional hamper, a giant teddy bear with a hundred euros to spend clutched in its little fist, healthy living hamper, and lots of wine and other stuff.

Get along there and get your ticket bought quick.