The Village Pubs of Cork: ‘I don’t want it to be about the drink...but to be a community hub’

Coachford is a village that has seen its share of change in recent years, including at Paddy Mac’s pub, with Aileen O’Donovan at the helm.

Aileen, who took over the pub in mid-Cork in July of this year, didn’t come from a traditional hospitality background.

Having worked in the corporate world while based in East Cork for a time, she returned to Coachford eight years ago and found herself drawn back into the pub business. Her cousin was running Paddy Mac's for the three years before, and Aileen helped out a lot. Then, Aileen stepped in and took on Paddy Mac’s with a vision of her own. 

“I wasn’t really built for the corporate world, let’s say. I’m a more social kind of person. I wanted to do something for myself. I grew up in a family that had their own businesses. So, it was something always in the back of my mind.

“It was either going to be a cafe or a pub, or working in a cafe or a pub. And this just came up, and I said I wasn’t going to leave it. I knew the place inside out anyway. So it was just natural to just step into it.”

The pub itself has a long history. “It used to be a hotel called Burkes Hotel, and it was a draper shop back in the day," said Aileen.

Over the years, the pub became a staple in Coachford, but Aileen recognised its potential as a venue to reach a wider demographic.

“It would have been a traditional Irish pub, which I love the look of, but I know now in today’s society, the youth don’t really drink as much. They prefer to have something to go to. You just don’t want to go to the pub anymore for a couple of drinks. That kind of culture is gone.”

For Aileen, that meant turning Paddy Mac’s into a community hub that caters to people of all ages with an array of interests. Mondays host a darts tournament, Tuesdays feature an Irish-language group called ‘Circa Cainta’, and the first Tuesday of each month sees traditional Irish music sessions with Ceoiltas.

On other nights, the back room might host board games, painting classes, or movie nights and gigs, all part of her vision to create a space for everyone, regardless of whether they drink alcohol.

“I want it to be a community hub. I don’t want it to be about the drink. There are two other pubs in the village. They have their niches, which they are very successful in, and I just wanted to introduce a new 'vibe' for people in the village. I want it to be similar, but not to take away from them either.

“I’m very into the music and the arts and all of that. So, I kind of focus a lot of the attention on the back (room). Not to focus, you know, because you see recently people are like, oh, no, I don’t want to go drinking. You don’t have to drink to be in a pub. You know, you can go down to the function room. You can play board games with your friends. That’s become very popular, the board games.”

While Paddy Mac’s is building a name for itself as a live music and events-centred pub, something a bit smaller might be noticed when you visit.

“Aileen’s pet, Pippa, a rescue dog, greets visitors, and will be spotted around the café service that Aileen facilitates on Monday and Tuesday mornings, which fills a gap when the neighbouring Boathouse café is closed.

“On Monday and Tuesday mornings, I do just toasted sandwiches, loaded croissants. They’re very popular.”

The pub has also embraced live music and comedy, hosting both established and up-and-coming acts.

Reggie Blackrock, Ross Brown, and Paddy Casey are all lined up, alongside the Dublin City Ramblers and Ronnie Drew’s son in 2025.

“There’s a very strong musical community here and an arts community here as well.

“People do appreciate something else to go to. They appreciate the effort that’s gone into it. They appreciate the range of different things that are available in the village. Not just here, you know. There’s something for everyone in this village.”

A non-drinker shouldn’t feel out of place in Paddy Mac’s. While it is still a traditional pub, alcohol is not the main focus. Aileen offers teas, coffees, hot chocolates, and toasted treats.

“If people are sitting here, and they’re with a group of 20 people and they want to just stay on water for the night, I’m not going to be like, ‘Ah, he’s just drinking water’. They’re out socialising at least,” she says.

For Aileen, taking on Paddy Mac’s is about community. Giving something back to Coachford.

“I hated to see the village kind of dying. When you grew up somewhere and there was so much activity, then you see it kind of dwindling.

“But I think the village has just come into a new life recently, which is great.”

Aileen has also launched an on-site food truck, a joint effort between her and The Boathouse business next door. "We have an amazing working relationship, which I am extremely grateful for," she said.

The publican’s work is yielding results. Locals and non-locals are rediscovering Paddy Mac’s as a viable option in Coachford while visitors are drawn in by its new offerings.

The integration of music, arts, and coffee mornings has transformed what was once a quiet corner pub into a lively, vibrant venue where people of all ages feel welcome.

Looking forward, Aileen hopes her model can inspire other rural pubs in Cork and beyond.

“I think with smaller villages, you do need to put a bit more effort into creating events and drawing people to the pub.

“And I don’t like the word pub either. I wanted to be like a public house where people feel that they’re welcome here all the time. There’s so many things for them to do.”

At Paddy Mac’s, Aileen O’Donovan has created a space that remains true to its traditional roots as a pub, yet it’s innovative in its catering to the non-drinking customers. A model I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of.