The Pubs of Cork: Johnny’s Bar a gem of a place at hub of Blarney community

Calling into Johnny’s Bar in Blarney, the place is awash with the county colours on one of the hottest days of the year. I wonder, is this all laid on for me?!

“I read The Pubs Of Cork series every Tuesday,” says Ian Forrest, who owns the premises with his wife Una. “It’s great to be included. And you are very welcome.”

I wonder why I have not discovered this gem of a place before, placed front and centre here in the square within The Blarney Castle Hotel. It really has a welcoming feel.

“Our staff are only wonderful,” says Ian. “They are all local. We know all their families.”

The hotel is family-friendly - in a big way.

“We pride ourselves on the personal touch, getting to know each families’ food order when they come to eat here at weekends,” says Ian.

Among the staff is Holly Hoare.

“Holly’s parents wet her head here when she was christened,” says Ian. “Now Holly is working here with us 20 years, covering many roles, mainly front of house. She is well-suited to the job.”

Fellow staff Roisín O’Connell, Rhonagh Sheehan, and Diarmuid Forrest are also well suited to the job.

“I can show you around,” says Roisín, who seems to know all the children’s names who are enjoying a cold drink in the beer garden with their parents.

“And I can point out all the photographs to you on the wall in the bar. Some are of our long-time staff, others are of important Blarney sporting events, coursing, and GAA.

“And there is a special plaque for one of our long- time, now deceased, customers, and our dear friend, Anthony Linehan. The memento is placed on the wall beside the bar stool where he always sat. Anyone who sat there before Anthony came in, who didn’t know him, would have to get up and let Anthony sit on his usual stool!

“First, though, can I get you a coffee?”

I meet some of the customers. Carol and John Horgan come here three times a week Why is this their favourite place to come, chat, and have fun?

“Since I retired, I am considered to be a scone expert!” says John laughing.

Is this the spot for the best scone in Cork?

“It is right up there with the very best,” says John. “That’s why we come here so often.”

The cosy, charming bar is also very familiar to Con, a long-time customer who is heavily involved in the community.

“Con may be here during the day, then he might come in later for food,” says Holly, who started working here in the hotel kitchen many moons ago.

“He helps to clean up the village voluntarily ahead of an event or special occasion. He is a mighty man!”

Con spreads the joy.

“I was born and bred here,” he says. “And I only live up the road.

“Con’s wife Rosie, and her sister, Peggy, come into the bar with a few friends of an evening. It is like home-from-home for them,” adds Holly.

“Mags and Tony play traditional music here every Tuesday night,” continues Holly.

“No matter where Mags might be in the world, she always makes sure she is here for us every Tuesday night.”

Mags has played music and sang songs with the best of them - Dolly Parton and Barack Obama included.

“Mags and Tony play great music,” says Holly. “Locals and visitors alike love them.”

Variety is the spice of life in Johnny’s Bar.

“Regular card games are held in the bar every Thursday night and two photographs on the wall depict ‘the perfect hand’ ever dealt,” says Holly.

“Both Andrew Brown and James Coakley were dealt ‘the perfect hand’.

“Seats and tables are reserved on Thursday nights for our regular card players.”

Ian, a true-blue Blarney supporter, is a big player in the community himself.

“The most memorable time was the 2008/2009 period when the Blarney Premier Intermediate hurlers won the County and then went on to win the All-Ireland,” says Ian.

“The memories of the nights of celebrations throughout the entire campaign that year, and the sense of pride in our community, will stay with us always.”

Ian is proud of his heritage, having inherited the business from his father, John, a Blarney native. John had a brother, Michael.

Michael grew up in Castleview farm on the eastern side of the village. The story goes that aged 19, around 1903, he ‘borrowed’ his brother John’s money, leaving a note saying he would pay it back, and left for America.

He spent over 30 years working for Gimbels, one of New York’s best department stores. When the ‘Yank’ returned, he paid a visit to John and his wife and bequeathed the hotel that he had purchased to them.

So, John, Ian’s father, got paid back?

“He did, to be sure,” says Ian.

Now, Ian is at the helm of the Blarney Castle Hotel, which is held in such affection in the community and in the surrounds.

Why is it so highly regarded and loved?

“While it is the natural haunt for punters from a huge cross-section of the community in Blarney, it is in the sphere of sport that the Blarney Castle Hotel and Johnny’s Bar seem to hold special affection, and its association with everything sporting makes it the true sportsman’s bar,” says Ian.

“No matter what the game, from the greyhound supporters back from the coursing fields to the stars of seven-a-side soccer tournaments, to the local heroes on the GAA field, The Castle Hotel and Johnny’s Bar has always been where the ups and downs of the day’s sport have been discussed.

“Indeed, it’s on record that in the 1940s, the successful four-in-a-row All-Ireland winning Cork hurling teams used to disembark the Dublin-Cork train at Blarney Station and spend several hours with the Liam MacCarthy Cup here before the final leg of their journey to Cork.”

Many famous men and women spent several hours here in Johnny’s Bar and in the hotel, enjoying the ambiance and wonderful hospitality.

“Famous guests that we can remember are Michael Portillo, Jeremy Irons, Chris Tarrant, Westlife member Shane Filan and his family, Jedward, with actress Tara Reid, and boxer Steve Collins and his family,” says Ian.

Did they all get the royal treatment, like the local punters and visitors who love Johnny’s Bar and who have obviously kissed the Blarney stone, willing to amicably chat and share stories?

“Of course they did,” says Ian, expecting no less from his fantastic team.

I have another question.

Maybe the famous punters who paid a visit here told a story or two as well?

“Now that would be telling!”