We were so excited when iconic Sally O’Brien ad was filmed in our Cork pub

In the cultural life of Ireland in the 1980s, the words “Sally O’Brien, and the way she might look at you” have iconic status.

They were uttered in an advert for Harp Lager, by an Irish exile remembering the things he loved most about home. The list included his pint and the aforementioned Sally – played by actress Vicki Michelle.

The ad was actually filmed in a Cork pub – the Blackman Bar in Dublin Pike – in 1982.

The landlady, then and now, was Maureen Healy, and she says there was great excitement when the pub was chosen for filming.

“Yes, we were all excited when we heard that the Harp ad was going to be made here in the pub for TV,” says Maureen.

“We were clearing and cleaning for weeks. We covered the tables with newspapers after all the cleaning. We still have ornaments and glasses from that famous day in 1982.

“A neighbour of ours borrowed Sally O’Brien’s glass to drink his milk out of it! Now the glass is so old you can barely make out the logo.”

The British actress Vicki Michelle went on to be famous as Yvette in the saucy BBC comedy ‘Allo Allo!’. And the ad became so famous in Ireland that Taoiseach Charlie Haughey apparently railed against the fact ‘Sally’ wasn’t played by an Irish woman.

However, Michelle gleefully pointed out that she had a granny from Cork.

Now The Blackman Bar in Cork city is up for sale, with a price tag of over €1.1million, as proprietor Maureen stands down after a lifetime of pulling pints.

She has earned her rest.

“I am pulling pints since the age of 10,” she says. “I was born into the pub trade, and I am a people person.” Maureen lost her beloved husband Robert (Bob) Healy to cancer in December, 2019. The couple took over the Blackman in 1970.

“I planned to stay here for only a few years, I didn’t mean to stay!” But she did. For 54 years.

Maureen and Bob had seven children - Roy, Denis, Brian, David, Kevin, Patricia, and Joanne. Over the years, they extended the bar and function room to 2,800 square feet.

“The friends I’ve made over the years are invaluable,” says Maureen who is never in low spirits. “Our regulars over the years were always fantastic.” Maureen, who is availing of a woman’s privilege not to divulge her age, was a child when she began serving in pubs.

“I ran the family pub, Parnell Bar at Parnell Place, Cork, during the years 1950 to 1954,” she says.

“We had a lovely clientele, the lads from Dunlop and Fords were great.

“They would come in around 4pm for a pint after work on their way home to relax and chat.” Apart from having company all day and night, making friends with the regulars, sharing good conversation, gossip and jokes, as well as being a treasured part of the community - what other perks come with the pub trade?

“You can avail of free minerals and crisps!” says Maureen’s son Brian.

Behind the counter, or under it, could sometimes be perilous.

“I was reared under the counter and got many an accidental kick as a result!” says Brian laughing.

Outside the counter, decades of memorabilia, the open fire, the sport paintings of horses and harriers, road bowlers, golf and card players, encapsulate the lives of the locals. The warm atmosphere makes for a popular meeting point, and a cosy chat is always on the cards at the Blackman Bar.

How did Maureen (neé Cronin), who only ever meant to stay in this gaff for a short time, end up staying over five decades, making a fulfilled life for herself and her family?

“Bob was a marvellous man,” says Maureen. “He was a great husband and father. He was great with people, and he liked helping people out. Bob was a very popular man. He was the main man with fierce wit, and he was a good storyteller.” Romance was brewing. Bob Healy had a hand in wooing Maureen, courting her and living happily ever after.

“Ours was a dance-hall romance,” says Maureen, whose family once owned Cronins pub in Crosshaven.

“We met in Crosshaven dance hall.” Was it love at first sight?

“Yes, I think it was!” says Maureen, who enjoyed a happy marriage.

“We had our wedding reception in Moore’s Hotel.

“Bob joined the business, and he worked every day and night at it. He was happy at it.” The couple were happy to acquire their own premises and their own house on site at the back of the pub.

“We opened up here in Dublin Pike and got going,” says Maureen.

“From the very beginning, we were very busy. You couldn’t get in the door. From that day and all the days after, that was the way it was. Date nights were Wednesday and Thursday. At weekends we were always busy since tea-time.” 

What was it like rearing seven kids on site?

“They were easy to rear,” says Maureen. “And they were nearby 24/7.” The pub trade can involve being on duty 24/7.

“Back in the day, the Holy Hour was from 2.30 to 3.30 weekdays and from 2pm to 4pm on Sundays. By law we were obliged to close during the holy hours.” 

There weren’t enough days in the week.

“They were our busiest hours!” says Maureen, laughing. “And on Good Friday, when we should be spring cleaning, we were busier than ever!” I tell Maureen that in our gaff in Oranmore in Galway on Good Fridays, my dad held court singing for the masses in Roches Bar.

“I can just imagine!” says Maureen laughing.

Sundays after mass were also a busy period in the Blackman.

“After mass until dinner time was always very busy,” says Maureen. “A new crowd arrived in after 4pm. We had hectic days and hectic nights.” Roy Healy drops us down a coffee and biscuits.

How did he like growing up and working in the Black Man?

“We had no choice only to help out!” says Roy. 

“But, you know, it wasn’t the worst place to be. The craic was always good. Any customers that came in always came back from the city to meet us.” 

One customer almost met his Waterloo.

“Donal Burke happened to be in the loo at a late hour,” says Roy.

The constabulary arrived.

“A member of staff was mopping the floor,” says Roy. 

“Donal spotted the guards, and he grabbed the mop and started mopping!” Roy, working behind the bar and familiar with everyone, often had to be diplomatic.

“I might get a phone call on the landline looking for a person that might be here, says Roy. “I’d say; he’s just gone! He’s on his way. I wasn’t lying!” People going on their way were often helped out.

“When someone’s car broke down outside, we’d offer them a cup of tea and we’d drop them home while the car was sorted.” In 1963, Maureen got a shock.

“I went to the USA and when I came back, I asked the lads at the bar counter was there any news? They told me the pint had gone up to one and threepence - that was a fierce shock to get!” 

It must come as a shock to regular patrons that landlady Maureen is retiring?

“I was the chief cook when we did food pre-Covid, and chief bottle washer for years and years,” says Maureen.

Her long innings in the pub trade gave her food for thought.

“It is a long time to be in business. I still help out if it gets extra busy,” adds Maureen, who never smoked or drank and who is bright-eyed and energetic.

“I sometimes have the odd glass of wine now,” she adds.

The Blackman Bar is part of Cork history. 

It got its name in the 1940s from a former forge across the road, where the blacksmith bent wheels around an old tree stump, which got blackened over time and cast an ominous outline of a hulking dark figure at dusk.

The figure was even more intimidating after closing time.

“A lot of our customers found that!” says Roy, laughing.

The Blackman may have some new customers down the line.

“There’s development on the way for at least 1,000 new houses coming to meet us,” says Roy.

Will he be sad to leave the public house when the time is right?

“We all had some great times here and we have some great memories that will last a lifetime,” said Roy.