The Pubs of Cork: Former garda’s pub was named after his dad’s tattoo of jester

Eoghan Healy’s son Liam is not talking in jest when he says when the family pub in Midleton opened, punters jokingly referred to it as ‘The Bridewell!”

Why was that?

“It’s because I was in the guards for 34 years,” laughs Eoghan. “The customers were having the cráic and the bit of banter!”

The bar on Connolly Street in the town is named Jesters. How did it get that name?

“You really want to know?” asks Eoghan.

I do.

“Dad has a number of tattoos, jesters and harlequins,” says Liam. “We thought the jester logo was catchy so we called the pub Jesters.

It’s better than Bridewell!

“Jesters was previously known as An Teach Beag before I bought it after covid in 2021 when I retired,” says Eoghan. “It had been closed for three and a half years, and I thought it had potential being located in the middle of town.”

Why did Liam, of Ballinlough, fancy swapping being on the beat for life as a publican?

“I always liked the idea of owning my own place,” says Eoghan. “And Liam here has always been involved in bar work, and my other son, Tadgh, is a keen barman too. We are really enjoying it.”

You can teach an old dog new tricks, I joke.

“You can, to be sure!” says Eoghan. “Learning new skills is great and walking into a place every day where you enjoy working is great.”

Liam added: “We got a great welcome in Midleton, and have a great relationship with all the other publicans in the town. They were very supportive, giving us good advice when we opened.”

It was no joke taking on a new business after covid was it?

“I remember walking in here the first day and saying to myself, ‘Am I mad?’” says Eoghan.

The bonhomie of the cosy pub, with a sporting ethos and a love for music and chat, along with the cheerful, colourful jester characters decorating the walls and a vivid mural of Midleton in years gone by, make for a merry spot for a cohort of regulars.

“We have a diverse range of customers,” says Liam. “We have the older, retired people, then the younger crew, which is nice. We know all our customers by now.”

“The customers know the three Healy men.

“We’ve grown our own clientele,” says Liam. “Most of them sit in the same spot in the pub where they might play cards or board games, and a game of darts is always on the go. Our darts team are very enthusiastic.”

What sort of bar did the Healy’s envisage Jesters to be when they opened up?

“If you asked me what sort of bar I had in mind, I couldn’t tell you,” says Eoghan. “ I am heavily into sport, and I’m involved with the local rugby club and team. Along with our customers, we enjoy regular pub outings, and we visited Kenmare Golf Society recently.”

One year into opening, in October, 2023, the pub was flooded during Storm Babet.

“We did better than the vast majority of businesses affected in Midleton,” Eoghan says. “A foot-and-a-half of water poured in, and Liam here stacked everything up high. Outside the front door, the car park was under three feet of water. I had to cycle through the floods to get here in the days following the floods.”

Everyone rowed in.

“People called in, asking what jobs they could do,” recalls Eoghan. “They all got jobs doing something cleaning up for four days.

“The helpers were drinking coffees and eating chips standing up!”

Liam was good to go, taking over the morning shift from his dad as things settled down.

“I got into bar work part-time when I was in college,” he says. “As I got more used to bar work, I decided that nine to five every day was not for me. And I couldn’t sit at a desk day in, day out. The routine of it wasn’t for me.

“I really liked the bar gig. I like the semi-chaos of the bar. I like getting to know the customers and being a friend to them. Leaving your stresses at the door and having a smile on your face is part of the job.”

What does Eoghan like about his second career as a publican?

“I like the way of life,” he says. “I like the cráic. I like having to work no nights. I did nights long enough! We have seven staff working here, and I jump it when it suits me.”

Eoghan can turn his hand to DIY. “Before lockdown, a pipe burst and we had to do some updating and rewiring. We haven’t touched the beer garden yet. That is our next project.”

And what’s Liam’s next project?

“Getting married!” he says laughing. “That and buying a house.”

Liam admits running a pub can be difficult.

“The trade can be tough, but I think in a town like Midleton all the pubs feed off each other,” he says.

“Some people seek peace and quiet having a drink, some seek out live bands, others want pub grub and music sessions. All the pubs have a different atmosphere, and I think Jesters has a unique atmosphere.”

Connolly Street is a friendly place. “Angela and Dave in the corner shop across the street for 30 years now are great neighbours. There’s a nice buzz on the street and a nice coffee shop on the corner.”

The season of good cheer is looming.

“I’m on the Christmas lights committee,” says Eoghan. “It’s nice to be involved in activities in the town and be part of the community.”

Do the Healy men see eye to eye where business is concerned?

“We don’t fight,” says Liam. “We have debates! We talk about the next step forward and the choices we should make.”

The Friday afternoon music sessions are a good choice. “Local musicians strike up a tune for an hour or so,” says Liam. “People enjoy a bit of a music session after work before they head home. We see the friendliest faces.”

People have that ‘Friday’ feeling?

“Everyone is in a good mood,” says Liam.

Mum is in a good mood too at times.

“She is always available for wine-tasting!” says Liam. “And when we are experimenting getting the cocktail mixes right as well! Mum keeps an eye on us.”

What are the best sellers?

“Coors for sure,” says Liam. “And Guinness and Budweiser in the beginning. The young gang tend to like Beamish. Blarney Brewing Company keeps us stocked up with IPAs, Indian pale ale, and New England pale ale.”

Eoghan says being a publican is a lifestyle.

“You’re not in it to make money. You always have company.

“Human contact is great and there is always something to talk about; what match is coming up in the Premier League, what’s happening in the town.

“And chatting to people, cheering up somebody’s day, is always satisfying.”