'We look forward to welcoming people': New restaurant opens at old Ballycotton Cush site

With a name like Salty Dog, it is not surprising that our four-legged friends are welcome at the new boutique hotel and café at the coastal gem that is Ballycotton.

“Yes, dogs are welcome here,” says Oliver Falter, who welcomes me. “I can bring my two dogs, Gatsby and Bruno, here for a visit!”

No doubt Oliver’s hounds will appreciate the magnificent view of the sea, rich plains, and unspoiled sandy beaches that bask in the shadow of Ballycotton Lighthouse?

“I hope so,” laughs Oliver, General Manager and Managing Director of the Flynn Cush Hospitality Group.

“I know everybody who goes out on our Sea Adventures tour to Ballycotton island always marvels at the view from the pier and the view from the boat back to land.”

The Salty Dog is opening on the former site of Cush, now newly opened in Midleton. Where does the name come from?

“All the local fishermen traditionally frequented the pub here,” says Oliver, who is from Germany.

“There was one regular fisherman, a lovely character whose nickname was the Salty Dog. We decided to call our newly-opened premises after the well-known local fisherman.”

Ballycotton, perched on a rocky ledge, overlooking a beautiful bay, with a busy fishing pier, a working lighthouse, and an RNLI lifeboat, the lovingly restored Mary Stanford now sitting on a plinth overlooking the cliffs, is well-known to walkers, anglers and foodies.

How did Oliver, who lives in Midleton, land here?

“In 2024, my fiancée and I along with our two dogs travelled Europe for a whole year,” he says. “We travelled to France, Spain, Portugal, and the UK.”

It was love at first sight when the travellers landed in Ireland.

“We fell in love with Ireland straight away, says Oliver, who has worked for decades in hospitality management and whose fiancée is an artist.

Why did they fall in love with Cork in particular?

“The nicest people are here!” says Oliver. 

“Cork is a beautiful place, a nice city near the sea. Dublin or Galway wasn’t us.”

In January this year, Oliver met Pearse Flynn, shareholder of the Flynn Cush Hospitality Group Ltd.

“I was invited for an interview, we had a good connection, and we clicked immediately,” says Oliver.

He got to work on the Salty Dog, the bones of which are in situ 100 years.

“The first thing I did was to erect a sign leading up to the front door to the nice terrace outside,” says Oliver. “We upgraded the kitchen as well.

“Our executive chef is Frederick Desormeaux, who hails from Paris and who worked in the Spanish Point in Ballycotton 25 years ago.”

What reeled Frederick in again to Ballycotton?

“I am a chef 40 years,” he says. “I fell in love with Ballycotton 25 years ago, and when I was approached to return here to work at the Salty Dog, I was very happy to do so.”

The punters will be happy too.

“I am famous for my mediterranean chowder,” says Frederick. “I use a tomato base with my own mix of ingredients.”

Not surprisingly, there is a lot of fish on the lunch and dinner menu at Salty Dog.

“My speciality is fish,” Frederick says.

What’s the best way to cook it?

“Quickly , in a non-stick pan with a dash of olive oil and some seasoning,” says Frederick. “It is simple.

“Many people make the mistake of coating the fish with flour before cooking it. I don’t do that.”

He is excited about the menus at Salty Dog.

“We knew we had big shoes to fill, occupying the former site of Cush,” says Frederick. 

“I am excited about the menu, and I am excited about offering people the freshest of fish to enjoy.”

The freshly caught fish served at the Salty Dog hasn’t too far to come.

“It lands at the pier 100 metres from here,” says Oliver.

Many customers are rocking up at the café for coffees, sweet treats, and menus with delicious seafood options.

“You can enjoy a family meal, a party for a special occasion, or a casual drink,” says Frederick.

“We are thrilled that the cosy pub with the new fireplace is attracting a lot of people,” says Oliver.

“I love the idea of the local pub. Here, we will have traditional music on a regular basis.”

Pubs are different in Germany.

“They are either pub company chains or places that would not always entice you to stay,” says Oliver.

Irish people enjoy a good social life.

“People in Ireland tend to go out more,” says Oliver. “At Salty Dog, we are offering breakfast, brunch, dinner, coffee, sweet treats, beer, champagne; whatever you like.”

The hotel, pub and café, employing 15 staff, has six rooms upstairs which offer amazing views of Ballycotton Bay and of the boats in the water bobbing up and down.

The Flynn Group has more plans to entice people to Ballycotton.

“Sea Church is part of the Flynn Group,” says Oliver. “Popular concerts are staged there. Great artists are booked to perform there. Weddings take place there.

“We have plans to provide a bus service in the east Cork area to and from Ballycotton. It is in the pipeline.”

Oliver feels lucky.

“We’re lucky to do business in one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland,” he says.

“I am very confident that the Salty Dog will be another jewel in the crown for hospitality across all seasons. We look forward to welcoming guests.”