The Village Pubs of Cork: A pub has to be part of a place, not just be in it

Coachford is the kind of village you might pass through without much fuss.

But stop here for a while and you’ll find more going on than meets the eye.

The village sits in the heart of mid-Cork, less than half an hour from the city, close to the Lee Valley and the quiet stretch of Inniscarra Lake that draws walkers, anglers, and Sunday drivers who fancy a change of pace.

For anyone making that stop, one of the places that’s worth a visit in Coachford is O’Callaghan’s Bar and Guesthouse.

It’s a large, wholesome-looking building at the centre of the village, and beyond the front door, a lively yet comfortable atmosphere awaits.

Inside, you’ll find the owners, Patrick ‘Pods’ O’Callaghan and Eileen ‘Nell’ Martin, who bought the premises back in 1994.

Over the years, they’ve made O’Callaghan’s central to Coachford life. Part pub, part guesthouse, it’s become an anchor in the community of Coachford and mid-Cork. And indeed, far beyond, as it's known all over Europe as a hub for anglers to meet.

Patrick, though a carpenter by trade, grew up in the pub business. His parents had The West End Bar in Ballincollig for nearly 30 years before retiring in the early 1990s.

His family was also connected with The Dripsey Tavern, so when the chance came to take on O’Callaghan’s in Coachford, it became a natural fit.

“I grew up in it really,” says Patrick of the pub trade. “My parents had The West End in Ballincollig for years before they retired. So, I was always around pubs from the time I was small.”

The building itself carries a long history. “It goes back to 1901,” Nell says. “There’s been a bar here since then. It was a hotel for years too, The Lake Hotel, it was called. There’s a great tradition of hospitality in Coachford.”

That spirit, which dates back to when the village was a station on the Cork and Muskerry Light Railway, hasn’t faded. The couple have simply carried it on in their own way.

Over the years, they have welcomed visitors from 27 different countries, many of them anglers who return year after year to the Lee Valley and ‘Scarra Lake’ nearby.

“Fishing is huge here,” Nell explains. “Coachford is known all over Europe for coarse angling.

“We’ve had visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Belgium. The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland run big international competitions here.

“Some of the same lads come back every year. It’s great business for the area, and they’ve become friends at this stage.”

Across the year, the locals and guests mingle easily in the bar.

“We’ve a good mix,” Nell says. “You could have a regular sitting at the counter, and beside him a fellow from Holland asking about bait.”

It’s the kind of blend that makes rural pubs like this so welcoming - a mix of familiar faces and new voices, all finding a bit of common ground.

Downstairs, O’Callaghan’s Bar keeps things simple and solid.

A large fireplace keeps the main room snug, and the long wooden counter - made by Patrick himself - gives the pub that traditional finish, while old photographs, and bits of local history line the walls, including a photograph of the first Cork team to win the all-Ireland hurling championship in 1890, local club Aghabullogue.

There is food available here too.

“We do a few small things, pizzas, toasted sandwiches, soups, and the ‘one pot wonders’ Eileen makes,” Patrick says.

“Beef stew, chicken curry, that sort of thing. They go down well, especially in winter.

“We’re not pretending to be a restaurant, but we’ll make sure you don’t leave hungry.”

Those warm, honest meals paired with the homely atmosphere have become part of the O’Callaghan’s charm.

Community lies at the heart of the place. Patrick has long been involved with Coachford Soccer Club, and the pub is a natural gathering spot for GAA and camogie supporters after matches.

It’s also where local fundraisers, quiz nights, and the odd birthday session take place. “That’s what keeps a rural pub alive,” Patrick says. “You have to be part of the place, not just in it.”

He’s honest about the challenges too.

“The trade isn’t easy. Between VAT, costs, and staffing, you have to mind every cent. And you need a good team. We’ve been lucky that way. You can’t do this job on your own anymore.”

Still, he sees reasons to stay hopeful. “There’s life in the business yet, if you adapt. Keep standards up, make people feel welcome, and have a bit of consistency, you need that,” says Patrick

O’Callaghan’s survived the hard years that saw many smaller pubs close around Cork. Patrick puts that down to a mix of location, good management, and loyalty.

“We’ve people who’ve been coming here since we opened. They’ve seen their kids grow up, they’ve celebrated weddings, birthdays, funerals, all through here.

“That means something. You don’t build that overnight.”

“Coachford’s a great place,” Nell adds. “It’s changed a lot since we came, more houses, new people, but it’s still friendly. Everyone knows everyone, and they look out for each other. We get people calling in just for a chat. That’s the part of the job I love.”

Pubs come and go, but O’Callaghan’s has stood firm since 1994. Patrick takes quiet pride in that.

“Look, we’ve been here 30 years now. You have your ups and downs, same as any business.

“But I couldn’t be happier here. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Beyond a pub or a guesthouse, O’Callaghan’s plays a vital role in keeping mid-Cork a relevant stop on the visitor trail, and it does so while keeping the doors open and the fire lit for familiar faces in Coachford too.