The Pubs of Cork: 'I've been smitten with the bar business since the start, 50 years ago'

My arrival at The Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway coincides with a special anniversary.

Owner Martin Maybury’s parents, Sonny and Mary, bought the place in 1976, which means it is 50 years in his family.

What does 50 years in business mean to Martin?

“Survival!” he says, laughing.

Why does he think he survived so long?

“I run a good bar that serves a good pint,” says Martin. “Hygiene is very important to us. Having a good team behind the bar that get to know people on a first-name basis is important. Our good service has a great reputation.”

The day after my visit, The Parkway Hotel was holding a 50th anniversary party with Bronco Billy and Mike Denver, as well as a family fun day and entertainment to mark the special occasion?

“You are welcome to come back again tomorrow though for music, dance, craic, and good fun,” says Martin’s sister, Sandra.

Martin and his wife, Sheila, took over the hotel and bar from Sonny and Mary in 1991.

Sandra is well-versed in the pub’s history.

“When our parents bought the Parkway Hotel, Martin was 12 years old,” she says. “It was previously the Bostonian Hotel, run by the O’Brien family.

“The auction was on our dad’s birthday, May 28, and Martin took over on his own birthday, April 28.”

There is lots of fascinating memorabilia displayed in the bar.

“Martin has built up a collection over the years,” says Sandra. “I’m pretty sure there’s a story behind most of the items.

“There are also photos of staff who worked over the years in the bar. They were part of the place, and a big part of the Parkway Hotel. Our staff here are always a big part of the business.”

The locals are a big part of the bar too.

“The local trade is great,” says Martin. “We sponsor the local GAA team, The Dohenys. There is always a lively atmosphere in here. Something is always going on.

“Our carvery is a well-known favourite with the locals, who come in regularly for the daily roast. Every day we have the same 10 or 12 people coming in for lunch.”

The Parkway is a bar for both young and old.

“A lot of older people from the town meet up here for lunch,” says Martin. “They enjoy the outing and the chat with each other. On Fridays the widows and widowers meet up. It’s great.”

Martin doesn’t like to see anyone go hungry.

“At Christmas, we plate up dinners for people who are living alone. They really appreciate it.”

Martin is a fount of knowledge about the town.

“As a young lad growing up here, one of my first memories is of a local character, Tom Murphy,” he says. “He’d call here on his way to town for the paper. At lunchtime, when he went into town to the shop for his messages, he’d stop off here again. And at 5.30pm, he’d come back for the third time.

“I can remember him wobbling home on his bike. It was all innocent fun. Tom’s grandson, Kevin, worked here for us in 1993, and, like Tom, he was loved by everyone.”

Martin loves the camaraderie that is so obvious in the cosy atmosphere of the bar. He keeps the show on the road - and then some.

“I recall having a christening, a communion, and a wedding party all in one day!” he said.

Back in the day, there were other parties at the Dunmanway Bar.

“When local people emigrated, they had going away parties here,” adds Martin.

Location is important for any pub.

“The Parkway is the first stop on the way into town and the last stop on the way out,” says Martin.

What is his best-seller?

“Coors Light. It seems all the young people, and some older people, favour that beer.

Times move on.

“When I was a young lad, people drank Guinness, Smithwicks, Bass, and pint bottles,” says Martin. “The only drink that we sell in a pint bottle now is cider.”

Martin, who has two daughters, enjoys special events in the town he loves so well.

“In 1981, when we won the Tidy Towns, President Hillery was here. It was a huge event for the town and for the bar. The annual Ballabuidhe Horse Fair in Dunmanway, that takes place on the August bank holiday, going for 100 years, is very popular and brings in a lot of people to the town and to the pub.”

The fair incorporates horse racing and buying and selling of wares, entertainment, puppet shows, side-shows, and face painting for the younger people.

There was another special time Martin recalls.

“A Liverpool soccer team on tour came to a play match with our local soccer team. That was a huge event. The Parkway is a big sports bar. As you can see, we’ve invested in a lot of screens to air all the matches. We have a top-of -the-range sound system installed. We have all the bells and whistles here!”

Where does Martin like to socialise?

“In here in the bar with my friends of course!”

The Parkway dance hall on the premises saw great artists entertaining the masses over the years.

“It’s still going,” says Martin. “Christy Moore was here and he drank here in the bar. Joe Dolan, Christy Dignam, and Big Tom, all brought in big crowds. Brendan Grace was our favourite. We became great friends with Brendan Shine and his family. There were always great music sessions in the bar when the famous names came to town.”

Is Martin looking forward to a good summer?

“Trade-wise or weather-wise?” he asks.

Both.

“When the sun shines everyone heads to the coast,” says Martin.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

“When the weather is dull or it’s raining we tend to be busier, would you believe?”

Is Martin, after 50 years, still hands-on in the bar?

“Not as much as I used to be,” he admits.

He has another operation going on in his native Dunmanway.

“I have a bus business as well,” says Martin. “And I’m active in the property market.”

He is a man for all seasons.

“From the beginning, I was smitten with the bar business,” says Martin.

“It’s in the family.”