Cobh castle couple to open new café in town's former bank

Garry Wilson’s home really is his castle.

He spent €5 million over three years, restoring the 16th century Belvelly Castle in Cobh to its former glory.

Now Garry and his wife Anne are taking on a new project - and aim to create “the most beautiful café in Ireland”.

They have plans to launch the new business in the former old Bank of Ireland premises on Main Street, Cobh.

It is a project that has been in the pipeline for a while.

“Six years ago, when the bank came up for sale, I was outbid on it,” says Garry. “I discovered three years later that the sale was never completed. A year after, I got the opportunity to buy it.”

What were his plans for the premises

“I wanted to create a high-quality boutique hotel,” says Garry. “I couldn’t get planning for that project, so I had to reassess my options.”

He still went for a high-quality option.

“I am going to open a beautiful café, a gorgeous gift shop, and provide office space on the higher level. I think the building will be a fabulous addition to the seafront of Cobh, both for locals and for visitors,” says Garry.

“I am going to make the café the most beautiful café in Ireland.”

The town is a coastal hub that people love to visit.

“Hundreds of cruise ships come into Cobh,” says Garry. “There will be no shortage of customers.”

“I am really excited about the project. My wife Anne has a keen eye for interior design and refurbishment. Our Interior Architect is local man Liam Hickey.

“I think our project will be a nice boost for all the businesses in Cobh, providing 12 to 15 jobs for local people.

“Every year I see Cobh getting better and better,” says Garry. “The town is on a fantastic path.”

He promotes the town he loves so well, adding: “I promise to do my bit for the town.”

Garry and Anne have been involved in a number of temporary and permanent art installations in Cobh in recent years, including the stunning Gaia installation at Cobh Cathedral in 2022 and the 12ft tall seafarer shanty sculpture, by British artist Ray Lonsdale, which depicts a bearded sailor playing a squeeze box while singing ‘The Holy Ground’, with one of his booted feet resting on a stool.

The Wilson family are in love with Cobh.

“Our two grown-up boys, who are full-time employed, love visiting Cobh and Co. Cork,” says Garry. “They get in tune with their Irish heritage.”

Garry’s roots are in Co. Antrim and Tyrone while Anne is from Belfast. “We are ‘blow-ins’ into Cobh!” he says. “We got a magnificent welcome all the same.

“The local community were really nice to us when we came to Belvelly Castle in 2016 and they have always continued to extend the hand of friendship to us.”

Garry and Anne both grew up in Belfast in the 1970s and ’80s.

“Belfast was a dark place back in those times,” he says. “There weren’t many opportunities for our generation, so we had to move over to England, but we always wanted to keep a connection to Ireland.

“We are not that far away; we still have lots of family who live here.

“Our home in Cobh gives us a lovely base back on the island.

“We have restored it to make it a safe place to live and a warm, comfy happy home for ourselves and our two sons in one of the most beautiful parts of Cork, along the narrowest section of waterway between Cork harbour, Great Island and Fota Island.

“Leaving Belfast during The Troubles, like many of our generation, we sought peace and safety. Our choice was coming here to live in Cobh.

“When I first arrived to play golf in Fota in 2016, it was a ‘pinch myself’ moment, because I was so impressed with the place and the surroundings.

“Of all the towns in County Cork, I always felt that Cobh was a hidden gem,” adds Garry. “I felt that it was in the shadow of towns like Kinsale.

“Cobh has massive history and heritage and millions of people can trace their ancestors who departed here 150 years ago.”

Garry is well in tune with his Irish heritage, after saving Belvelly Castle, an ancient tower house, from slipping into the River Lee. The Wilsons have ensured it will stand for another 500 years.

Garry is ensuring further investment in the town with his café, gift shop and the office space overlooking the ocean. He hopes the café and shop will be open in 18 months to two years.

“The building will look stunning,” says Garry.

It will no doubt become a landmark in the picturesque town marked by its maritime significance, emigration legacy, and the last port of the doomed Titanic.