The Pubs of Cork: ‘The pub was always run by women... it has a female energy’

When Joanne O’Donovan was a student at UCC, she often called into The Olde Fiddle pub in her home town of Mallow to write her essays on the table near the warm stove at the back of the bar.

Her sister, Evelyn, was managing the bar then, and now Joanne has taken up the reins.

“When I was a student back in the day, I enjoyed meeting the people in the pub in the evenings,” says Joanne. “It was home from home. The conversations and the sense of connection here was always great. The Olde Fiddle has a special vibe.”

Evelyn agrees. “We may not know you when you come in the door, but we sure know you when you go back out the door.”

The sisters are doing it for themselves. Now, Evelyn is concentrating on her interior design business as well as running her own independent off-licence. Joanne is the new governor of The Olde Fiddle, located on Spa Square in Mallow.

I tell the girls I can imagine on a snowy day in winter calling into The Olde Fiddle where the stove is bellowing out a welcome, where candles on the old-fashioned wooden tables create a lovely, intimate atmosphere, and where the hatch servicing the bar, with its nooks and crannies, delivers seasonal hot port or hot whiskeys far away from the madding crowd.

“It’s funny,” Joanne says. “All our customers feel like that when they come here. Like they are entering a different world, away from the real world into an ‘olde worlde’ friendly atmosphere that’s so real.

“The bar offers a safe meeting place. It’s not all about the alcohol. It’s about the friendliness and the camaraderie created between the staff and the customers.”

Why did Joanne want to change worlds from her career with social services to that of a publican?

“You know, sometimes changing career paths can be a good thing,” she says. “Trying something new challenges oneself and I decided to give it a go.

“I love working in my home town, and hopefully being a big part of the community, and being a friendly face to meet behind the counter when customers stop in. I felt blessed to get the opportunity to change careers. It is a way of moving forward in life.”

Joanne knew she was a good fit behind the counter. “It was a simple decision. The Olde Fiddle has always been home to me. I feel lucky because I know all the crowd who are long-time customers.”

Her sister is never far away. “Evelyn is always at hand for advice.”

Customers come here from near and far.

“People from abroad visiting family will meet up here for a reunion,” says Joanne. “It is lovely to see people catching up with each other year after year.”

What about the bikers?

“Oh yes, the bikers are from all walks of life,” says Joanne. “They come in every Sunday evening and enjoy sitting at the back table, they are always ready to crack a joke.”

Beverages are on tap as well as a variety of beers and stout at The Olde Fiddle. “We serve free tea and coffee to our patrons,” says Joanne.

All are welcome.

“There are regular canine visitors, such as Timmy, who is a rescue pointer dog,” says Joanne. “He visits most weekends and is very well known among the locals. He was keeping a very close eye on the swallows out the back before they departed for warmer climes.”

Visitors to the North Cork town are plentiful.

“The castle is just around the corner from The Olde Fiddle,” says Joanne. “It offers a beautiful walkway next to the River Blackwater.

“Lots of visitors comment on the beauty and tranquillity of the area.”

Ned Murphy is part of the furniture in the pub, which dates back to 1840.

“Ned has been coming into the pub for 50-odd years,” says Joanne. “He likes to stand at the hatch and enjoy a chat about life in general.

“Ned looks after the white deer in the castle, and he is a very knowledgeable character who likes to tell stories. He has an exceptional turn of phrase that keeps us all laughing. Ned looks after all of us.”

What else will I find if I drop in again when passing?

“Overall, if you find yourself sitting at the bar counter in The Olde Fiddle, there is a possibility and opportunity for debate, diversity, and discussion about what’s going on in the world around us,” says Joanne.

Random music sessions often strike up.

“Sing-songs start at random,” says Joanne.

“You find that everyone joins in. Young and old alike.

“Just as quick, you will find yourself knee deep in humour and laughter, and what is often described as like being at home in your own sitting room with an exceptional pint of Guinness.

“The Guinness is good here as the kegs are under the counter and the stout has no distance to travel,” adds Joanne.

Maybe I’d like to sit at the table near the stove with a good book, where Joanne once wrote her essays when she was a student, and forget all about what is going on in the world.

“Oh yes, you can do that too,” says Joanne. “The Olde Fiddle is an easy place to be yourself, and more importantly to forget about ourselves, and take a break from the outside world. Here, people can unwind and relax. It’s like existing in a different era.”

Sounds like my cup of tea.

“Would you like a cup of tea? Joanne kindly offers.

One for the road.

Did Joanne, during her tenure here, ever get any surprises?

“One morning, doing a freshen up before opening, I found a set of false teeth on the counter!”

Were they ever claimed?

“Never, would you believe!”

I would believe. It’s hard to imagine an embarrassed customer asking if he left his teeth behind after a good night in the pub.

There can be other surprises

“When the electricity goes out, I tell people hold on to their glasses for a refill!” says Joanne, full of good humour.

She had good tidings from the previous tenant of The Olde Fiddle.

“I know Evelyn had wonderful years here in the bar, and she has great memories.

“Our landlord, who is a businessman in the town, is a wonderful man, and so supportive. He is responsible for all the artwork, the paintings and original drawings on the walls as well as individual and collage of photos.

“The collection is always a big talking point when people come into The Olde Fiddle.”

No wonder.

Photos of Elvis, Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Mohammad Ali and George Best sit alongside art works by James O’Halloran, Ken O’Neill, Geraldine O’Brien, and George Picard, and make for lively conversation.

Joanne enjoys the chats.

“It was always women who ran The Olde Fiddle,” says Joanne, “from the Walsh’s, to the Keegans and the Foleys.

“Mrs Keegan was a well-known figure in the town. Often, a glass might fall from the shelf behind the counter, and someone might say, ‘that’s Mrs Keegan!’

“The female energy in the pub is alive and well.

“People congregated around the stove and socialised in what was Mrs Keegan’s kitchen. They are still doing the same thing today.

“The Olde Fiddle is a great little pub,” says Joanne. “Our locals are just great. “I love it here.”

She’s at home here.

“I just slotted in.”