Cork wets its whistle again

There was a collective sigh of relief this week when wet pubs finally brushed away six months’ worth of cobwebs.

It’s been a long, dry road for wet publicans, but now things are looking up and there is a distinct sense of optimism amongst owners in the city and beyond.

Speaking to the Cork Independent just hours after reopening, Liam Barry, owner of An Bodhrán on Oliver Plunkett Street, praised the public for its support in recent weeks.

“We were painting and deep cleaning over the last few weeks and all the locals were like 'when are ye opening?’. People just want a bit of normality,” he said.

Enjoying a cold pint outside An Bodhrán was regular Darren McGivern who said that wet pubs reopening was “one step closer to normality”.

Darren said: “My tolerance has gone up. I could drink 12 cans at home and I wouldn’t notice it, whereas in the pub, after six pints you're feeling it. It's great to be honest, and it’s a lot more relaxing.”

Fellow regular Anthony Dempsey added: “It's like the first taste of your mother's milk. I find that I get far more hungover since the pubs reopened, than I did from drinking bottles. I've been drinking more at home than I ever was.”

A little further up the road in Counihans, owner Joe Donnelly says he was a bit rusty to begin with, but soon found his rhythm.

Joe said: “I pulled my first pint in six months last weekend. We tapped up the Guinness and the Heineken. Quality control, you know?

“Working the tills was one of the biggest issues. Trying to remember the codes, or even using the credit card machine and balancing off the totals. We got it eventually, but we were racking our brains,” he added.

Glanmire man Martin Barry, who had been to the Mutton Lane before moving onto Counihans, said that things almost felt normal again, but that he missed sitting at the bar.

“For me it was a bit strange because I'd be a person that would sit at the bar. For me, that's a big drawback. But the younger people don't seem to mind,” said Martin.

No night out in Cork city is complete without a trip to the unique and uncompromising Castle Inn on South Main Street.

Huddled at the very back were Eamon Doyle, Billy Wallace and Ryan Hamlett who were all enjoying their first few rounds without having to order food.

“It was nice. It didn't feel especially different. There's no safety in a sandwich. You're taking the same risk going to a wet pub as you are going for food,” said Ryan.

“The only difference is a bit of salt and pepper,” added Billy.

Eamon said: “Before now you had to kind of plan your meals. I'll have a starter here, something small here, and a main course somewhere else. Now you can have your few pints and have a good time without stressing about what you're going to eat.

“For me, it's all in the environment. Anybody can go out and find a field and drink ten cans. But there's nothing nicer than sitting down on a stool and having a few chats at your leisure.”

Current wet pub regulations allow no more than six people from no more than three different households to a table.

There is still no counter service and all patrons must leave premises by 11.30pm.