The Pubs of Cork: ‘It was always my dream to run a pub’

Kieran Murphy already knew most of his customers when he took over The Rising Tide with wife Deirdre seven years ago.

“I am the local postman, like my grandfather, Tom Murphy,” says Kieran.

The Glounthaune pub had been closed for three-and-a-half years when the couple took it over. Why did they take it on?

“It was always my dream to run my own pub,” says Deirdre. “The person here before us was very accommodating towards us when we showed interest in leasing the pub. She has been a very nice landlord and gave us great advice when we opened up here.”

The neighbours in the cute cul-de-sac gave Kieran and Deirdre a great welcome when they opened up. “Our neighbours are so lovely,” says Deirdre. It is like a little country village here. The residents welcomed us with open arms.”

The neighbours are hands on.

“They even water our plants and the shrubs outside, keeping the area looking so well and so colourful,” says Deirdre. “Our outside area with seating is like another pub, and it is hugely popular with people in the fine weather. It’s great to see everyone sitting together, chatting together, enjoying a drink together in the sunshine. There can often be 100 people outside soaking up the atmosphere.”

And its far from the madding crowd.

“It is,” says Deirdre.

“While we are on the main routes to Cork and Waterford, this little lane is like a little private haven for people to meet up.”

A pub was involved in the couple getting together.

Deirdre explains: “I was working in my uncle’s pub, Teddy McCarthy’s. Kieran came in looking for work. He said he had experience, but he hadn’t!”

He had an ulterior motive then? “Yes, he had!” laughs Deirdre laughing.

Now the pair, who have two children, Sophie, 19 and Peter, 17, are running The Rising Tide in the parish where they were born and reared.

Lots of customers like the cosy sports bar where they can watch live games.

“Erin’s Own and Leeside soccer are our local clubs,” says Kieran. “Lots of golfers drop in who play golf in Cork Golf Club and Fota.”

Young people drop in too.

“We had a christening last week, and we have another this week,” says Dierdre. “Wedding parties from the church across the road call in to us before they head to the wedding reception. The bride and groom often take some of their photographs outside. When the tide is in, it is a really lovely setting.”

The Rising Tide is a family affair.

“Sophie and Peter like to be involved, and are very good to help us out. Sophie is working here five years now and Peter is working here two year,” says Deirdre.

The Rising Tide was always known for its delicious award-winning seafood.

“We opted not to do food here but if anyone gets hungry, they can always have a slice of pizza,” says Deirdre.

She started working behind the bar at her uncle Teddy’s bar aged 17.

“I worked there part-time,” says Deirdre. “Straight away I liked the sociability of the trade, meeting new people and getting to know them. A lot of our customers come in here on their own. They have their two pints and we have our chats. Loneliness, sadly, can be is a part of today’s society and people look forward to having a bit of company.”

Photos over the shelf where I am sitting show some former regulars who passed away.

Deirdre always had her eye on the bar. After taking four years out from work, she returned to work in the bar trade at Sarsfield Hurling Club in Glanmire for ten years.

“I really enjoyed it. Sarsfields is my club. It was while I was working there that I realised I always wanted a place of my own. Kieran and I came here in November, 2018, and at Christmas we agreed the lease.”

“It was a nervous time at the start,” adds Deirdre. “The pub scene had changed a lot. There was no pub here in the village or in the vicinity. The locals welcomed the idea of it reopening and their enthusiasm encouraged us to open a pub ‘for the locals.’”

Thirteen months later, covid hit.

“I hoped my dream wouldn’t go down the drain that fast,” says Deirdre. “Our wonderful landlord accepted no rent while we closed. We were able to pay her back when we received our government allowance when we were not trading. We managed to keep our head over water.”

Is that still the case?

“We treat it like a job,” says Deirdre. “We’ll never be rich, but that’s OK.”

Now they never close.

“We are open seven days a week and we have six local fantastic staff,” says Deirdre. “A lot of them are family. I do most of the work myself, including the cleaning, the wages, and the orders.”

Kieran double-jobs as well.

“I don’t sleep a lot,” he says. “I only need four or five hours sleep. I am up before dawn and when I finish delivering the post at lunchtime, I can do a shift here. It’s a nice change and it is nice to have the time to meet the people and chat about matches with them or about what’s happening in the area. Our local trade is huge.”

The locals look out for each other. “If a regular customer is missing more than two days, I drop them a text to make sure that they are all right,” says Deirdre. “We have a special bond. If I am missing for a day, I get loads of messages asking what’s up? I always make sure to show my face for at least a couple of hours a day. Recently, I did 18 shifts on the trot because everyone was on holidays.”

Old habits die hard.

“When Kieran gets a night off, he comes in here with his dad for a drink!”

Guests at the local hotels often come in.

“We are off the radar, some people don’t know we are here,” says Deirdre. “The hotel staff point their guests in our direction. They all had a mighty time here when the hurling final and the football final were on in the sports bar. The noise was deafening!”

Deirdre says many of the customers like the quietness in the bar.

“Its part of their day. At weekends, we have live music sessions which are very popular. Our ‘Island’ girls are regular visitors at the weekend. They get their regular taxi-driver to collect them at closing time.”

“From 4pm to 8pm every day is very busy,” says Kieran. “So is tea-time on Friday evenings after work. Tuesdays tends to be quieter.”

The tide won’t be turning for the charming pub anytime soon.

“We took a chance,” says Kieran. “So far it has worked out fine. We have the lease for 10 years and hope to have it for another ten.”

Finally, I have to ask: Did Kieran get the job in Teddy McCarthy’s bar when he said he had experience, even though he hadn’t?

“He got the job!” says Deirdre.

And he got the girl.

Sometimes, taking a chance is worth it.