'I couldn't just give up': Cork woman bounces back after floods with new Mexican street food outlet

Starting a promising business when the plan for the Midleton Greenway was mooted seemed like a good idea to Deirdre Roberts and Fiona O’Driscoll.

“Coffee and cycling sprang to mind,” says Deirdre. “The combination seemed like a good bet to take off, especially with the greenway in the pipeline.”

And it did.

The couple started two businesses, a café and bike hire place in the town of Midleton.

However, when they were put out of business by the floods caused by Storm Babet, and then new competition arrived, Deirdre, with the support of her family and her wife, Fiona, created a new venture, Nachos, a flavoursome version of Mexican street food, on Main Street.

“You must meet Brandon Fernandez, my chef,” says Deirdre.

I’d be delighted.

First, we talk about being in business and re-inventing business.

“We opened two coffee kiosks along the planned greenway route and we went into the rental bike hire business catering for all the people who would enjoy making good use of the new amenity,” says Deirdre.

When the greenway was delayed, she and Fiona set up shop at the end of the town, offering coffee, milk shakes, ice creams, smoothies, and hot breakfasts. Bikes for hire stood outside the premises.

“It took off very well,” says Deirdre.

“At that time, there were no coffee shops, cafes or restaurants at the Youghal end of the street. Locals and visitors came here for their breakfast and coffee breaks, including the schoolchildren. There are five schools in Midleton.

“The bikes proved popular from the beginning. We got a lot of group bookings from people interested in discovering East Cork by bike. We worked well with Fáilte Ireland and still do.”

So Deirdre and Fiona had a good thing going?

“We sure did,” says Deirdre. “Our location at the end of town was a good one. The bikes parked out the front attracted the attention of visitors who may be doing the tour of Midleton Distillery for instance, or for families and friends out and about enjoying a day of leisure.

“Visitors to Midleton and East Cork loved the novelty of hiring the bikes and they loved to get their beverages and treats before they set off on their cycling excursions. We also continue bike hire from May to October at the Marina Market.”

Then Storm Babet hit Midleton in October 2023, wiping out businesses, homes, and livelihoods, devastating the town and its surrounds.

Like many others, Deirdre had to wade through hardship and loss to salvage what she could of her business. “That day, October 18, was a most horrendous day,” she says. “There was two days of intense rainfall and flooding.” Community spirit helped those most affected to keep their heads above water.

“We were virtually wiped out,” says Deirdre. “A whole renovation had to take place. We lost all our catering equipment. We lost €43,000 worth of e-bikes as well as all the other bikes. They seized up with water damage and muck. We had to close overnight.

“It was a terrible blow to us and to our staff. Even though we had four different insurances, we didn’t have flood insurance.”

While Fiona explored another career path, Deirdre decided she was not down or out. She was not going to sink. She was going to swim. “I felt that the business hadn’t reached its full potential yet,” she says. “I couldn’t just give up. We had to close for five months. I organised renovations in the cafe and re-coated the interior walls with PVC.

“We rebranded the business to Cork Bike Hire. Ice-cream and smoothies were still our bread and butter, which was a good thing.

“We gave the flood-damaged bikes to the Bicycle Engineering Academy in Limerick where people study bike maintenance. They donated them to charity when the bikes were back working.”

As Midleton recovered its mojo, other entrepreneurs were willing to set up shop in the bustling town.

“Bernie’s opened up beside us doing coffee, sandwiches and pizza, Cookies And Cream opened across the road, and last Christmas Grumpy Bakers announced they were moving to the former Donovan’s pub premises beside us.”

Deirdre decided to think outside the box for another business idea.

What drove her?

“I felt that we didn’t get the opportunity to do what we wanted.”

Like what?

“Introducing cycling training in schools together with Cork Sports Partnership,” says Deirdre.

“I wanted to build the business back up and sell hot food. Ice-cream and smoothies are all very well in the summer but as we all know there is a long winter there.

“I wanted to shake it up.”

So she did.

Her new venture, Nachos, sells authentic Mexican street food.

“I had salvaged enough kitchen equipment, so I had little spend,” says Deirdre. “In 20 days, I had Nachos up and running by mid-January.

“My sister, Audrey, helped do the décor and designed the Mexican logos depicting cactuses and sombreros. The artistic shop counter décor is courtesy of Flanagan Print.”

Deirdre called on an old friend to be the chef.

“Brandon had worked for me before on a trial basis, but he had to attend English college, and the hours didn’t tally. I sent him a message asking if he’d come and board and here he is!”

Brandon Fernandez is all the way from Costa Rica, working his magic, chopping his ingredients, the fiery Mexican chillies, juicy marinated mince, the shredded chicken for the tacos and carnitas, and perfecting the creamy guacamole and blending cream and cheese for the tasty floury tortillas.

“I love to cook,” says Brandon. “And bringing Mexican cuisine and flavours to Ireland makes me very happy. People leave here with a smile.”

Deirdre’s customers arrive not only from Midleton, but from Cork city, Carrigtwohill, Ballycotton, and Youghal.

She is happy to use quality Irish meat for her Mexican dishes.

“I go to Quigley’s myself for the pure Irish meat to be sure to be sure!”

At Nachos, you can sit and eat in comfort, or you can take the food away to eat at home later.

“Families are delighted that they can have a delicious fresh meal for less than €50,” says Deirdre.

“One couple came in here at the weekend to eat, and they came back later with their whole family!”

Caleb, a pupil from St Colman’s College, is enjoying a taco after school with his mate. What’s the verdict? “The tacos are really tasty!” says Caleb. “They have a kick but are not too spicy. Lovely!”

Storm Chandra avoided Midleton on this occasion, but Deirdre still gets nervous about flooding and the damage it can do.

“We have barriers and sandbags at the ready out the back,” she says. “When there are weather warnings for the south-east, we get worried.”

Now Nachos is up and running and causing a stir on Main Street, Deirdre has no worries.

“I’m delighted with the response and the welcome Nachos got when it opened,” she says. “I shook it up again.”