The Village Pubs of Cork: Years ago, people just came to the pub, now you have to work at it

Drive through Shanbally, that small village between Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy, and you’ll likely spot the lights of this week’s pub - The Shamrock Bar.

It’s the only place for a few miles in either direction, and as far as Monkstown. Outside, lorries heading to and from Cork Port zip past, and traffic from the pharmaceutical industry keeps the road busy.

Behind the counter is Tom Kingston, bar manager, publican, and the front of house of The Shamrock Bar. His brother Peter owns it, though he is now living in Houston, Texas.

“He found the place,” says Tom, “and I came in with him after.

“We’re from Fountainstown originally, in the parish of Tracton, and we were looking for something in the area. He liked the look of this one, so we went for it.”

That was a little over two years ago, of course the building itself has been around far longer, though Tom isn’t sure how long.

“I must ask John Twomey, he’s the man who’d know,” he laughs, referencing the man who provided much of the historical background of The Ferry Boat Inn for this series a few months back.

“It was renovated maybe four or five years ago, but it’s always been The Shamrock as far back as anyone remembers,” adds Tom.

Inside, The Shamrock is a proper village bar: warm, tidy, and straightforward. There’s no restaurant though it does offer pizzas made fresh out the back.

“It’s simple, but it works,” says Tom. “People come in for a chat, a pint, maybe a bite, and that’s it. There’s no pretence here.”

Most of The Shamrock’s trade comes from within walking distance.

“We’re lucky with that,” Tom explains. “A lot of our regulars are locals, and I mean proper locals, people who walk up from their houses nearby.

“Then we get a bit of passing trade from the port, fellas who drop in for a drink or for a coffee.”

Traffic is a double-edged sword in Shanbally. The constant stream from the port offers visibility, but also congestion.

“Parking’s the killer. Particularly around school time or lunchtime, it’s brutal. You’re okay at night, but during the day it’s a different story,” says Tom.

He’s positive about the future, however. The new bypass road currently under construction that’s set to bypass Shanbally could, in fact, breathe new life into the village.

“People think when a village is bypassed, it dies. But look at Macroom, busier than ever since the bypass. Maybe it’ll make Shanbally more accessible, not less.

“Once the heavy traffic’s gone, people might actually stop and park.”

Tom knows the bar business inside out. With 35 years in the pub trade, he’s seen it all, good times, and recessions.

“I started off in Mulligan’s, across from the bus station in town,” he recalls. “That was over 30 years ago.

“After that I was in The Maylor, and then O’Flaherty’s, all gone now, or changed hands. The trade’s completely different today.

“Years ago, you opened the doors and people just came in. Now, you have to work at it.”

Tom has seen first-hand the pressures on publicans - rising costs, VAT rates, and what he calls “death by a thousand cuts”

“There’ve been 2,000 pubs closed in the last 20 years,” he says. “That’s a hundred every year.

“The hospitality sector’s taken a hammering, and it hasn’t had the help it deserves. But we’re still here, still trading, and still going well. Thank God.”

So what keeps The Shamrock afloat when others are fading away?

“The locals. Every village needs a pub. If five lads want to watch a match on a Wednesday night, where do they go if there’s no local? Into Carrigaline or Ringaskiddy, meaning taxis or designated drivers.

“But a local bar isn’t just about the pint, it’s about meeting people, chatting, having a bit of craic, and going home feeling better after a long day. It’s part of who we are.”

Tom doesn’t feel like he’s a blow-in.

“When I came down first, I didn’t know a soul,” he says. “But the people here are the nicest you could meet, no nonsense, no drama, just decent.

“I can honestly say, I’ve had no problems with anyone. They’re good people. You know, the regulars who come in here, I don’t see them as customers anymore. They’re friends. When they walk through the door, it’s like a friend coming in for a chat.

“Some evenings I’ll finish up and have a pint with them. It’s not work then, it’s company.”

Tom credits much of The Shamrock’s success with that kind of community feeling. The local GAA club, the pharmacy, and nearby businesses all feed into it.

“It’s a strong area for the GAA, soccer and rugby too, but mostly hurling. A lot of the lads are involved with the Shamrocks club. They come in, they support us, and there’s great camaraderie.”

He’s realistic about the challenges ahead. “You need a bit of luck in this business,” he says.

“You can have all your systems in place, your standards, but you need a bit of luck too. Thankfully, we’ve had it here. I’m very grateful for that.”

As for what’s next, Tom isn’t rushing. “I’d like to expand a bit, maybe in a year or two,” he says.

“Possibly do more with food, but we’ll see. Parking is the big issue for any kind of lunch trade.

“When that’s sorted, maybe we’ll look at it again.”

In the meantime, Tom is content. “I’ve been in a lot of pubs over the years, but this one, this is my favourite. There’s something about it.

“It’s like Mulligan’s was years ago, it’s another Mulligans, friendly, relaxed, everyone knows everyone.

“There’s a real sense of community here. People look out for each other.”

It might be the only pub in Shanbally, but for Tom and his customers, it’s the only show in town, and it works.