'In a matter of hours, we lost our business': Beloved restaurant leaves Cork following flood damage

FARMGATE, a popular restaurant in East Cork, has said that it will be “starting from scratch” in a new location this May.

Owner Sally O’Brien told The Echo that, in October of last year, flooding destroyed the premises that she and her mother owned in Midleton, saying “all our life’s work had literally gone down the drain”.

“Hell broke loose — the river burst its banks and water ran through the building at waist-high level, destroying everything in every single room,” she said.

“In a matter of hours, we lost our business.

“It was like something out of a nightmare, very traumatic, but it also felt surreal.”

They emptied everything out of the building and, though Sally anticipated they would be closed for a few weeks, it was not until a fire officer and engineer visited and informed them of the true extent of the damage that they realised they would not return to trade there again.

They announced in November of last year that they would not be reopening in Midleton, and started viewing properties shortly after, choosing to relocate to a property in Lismore, Co Waterford, that Sally’s mother Máróg had purchased in 2018, but remained unused due to the pandemic disrupting her plans for it.

“It’s funny how things work out, it’s almost been a godsend that we had that premises,” said Sally. “It’s a much smaller building, but very beautiful and full of character.”

They are now working on “further enhancing a beautiful place”, which Sally adds is also in a brilliant location where lots of events take place over the summer, so they are hopeful to be opened by May.

She thanked everyone who has offered them support, saying: “It’s absolutely incredible, the encouragement we’ve got from everyone — our Midleton regulars, people who have never been to Lismore saying that they’re planning a trip.”

“It’s a special place, and I do think anyone new coming to Lismore is going to be wowed.

“I’m starting to feel that fire in my belly again now.

“We lost our business overnight after 40 years, so we’re starting from scratch now, but it’s the start of a new beginning, and I am excited for it.”