Cork publican "honoured" to be named next VFI president

Cork publican Michael O'Donovan has been confirmed as the president-elect for the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), a trade association representing 4000 publicans across Ireland.

He is the third generation owner of traditional Irish bar The Castle Inn on South Main Street, which has been run by the O'Donovan family since the 1930's.

“Being elected to such a senior role nationally was a big surprise, but a huge honour for me and my family, and for publicans in Cork,” he told The Echo.

Mr O’Donovan studied at the Shannon College of Hotel Management and did a BComm in University College Galway, then worked for the Jurys Doyle group abroad, he said.

“In 2000 I returned home to help my parents in the bar, it was getting busier and busier during the Celtic Tiger time.

“Soon after I joined the local Vinters Committee and I’ve had several roles over the years, from city secretary to city chair to county secretary to county chair, and I’ve represented Cork publicans on the board of management.” 

Last Wednesday, Mr O’Donovan was elected the next president of the Federation, and will start as President Elect at the National Conference in Donegal on May 14, then in 12 months’ time, at the next conference, he’ll become president for 2 years.

He looks forward to representing publicans in Cork and Ireland in general over that time, helping them to face ever-increasing cost pressures and keep their doors open.