Stevie G: Bunker Vinyl closing is a massive loss to the Cork music community

Record shops remain an integral part of our music community here in Cork, and we received a big blow this week with the announcement that John Dwyer’s Bunker Vinyl is closing down. Bunker Vinyl has become a beloved part of the music scene here, and John has long been one of the most highly regarded people in Cork. The last few years have been particularly tough for Bunker, which was damaged by floods and affected by outside roadworks too, and it has taken its toll on John, who has cited health reasons as one of the factors which have contributed to his decision.

I have known John a long time and was a regular visitor to his stall in Mother Jones Flea Market, where he first established his rapport with the Cork record public. Those long lazy Sundays remain a cherished memory for me, as I dug through dusty 45s while John entertained my two young kids while somehow managing to keep other customers engaged too. Like all great record shops, Bunker was a home from home.

John’s positive demeanour hid a steel that those of us who got to know him better will have admired as he ambitiously moved on to his underground bunker on Camden Quay, overcoming numerous obstacles on the way. A key member of both Mother Jones and Cork’s musical community, our friend Andrew Mac Donagh (aka DJ Fork) was pivotal in helping John make this move, and his sudden passing five years ago was another big blow. Bunker somehow survived covid and John’s reputation went from strength to strength, but the music industry remains incredibly tough and now Bunker Vinyl is sadly gone.

John was extremely helpful to young bands and DJs and music fans, always giving his time and advice generously, and he had a loyal customer base that drew from all ages and backgrounds. I only wrote last week about the drive back towards more physical music formats, as music fans become more disillusioned with streaming and the lack of availability of certain music these days. Over the weekend, many more classics have been taken off streaming and, again, it raises the issue that we are at the mercy of massive corporations, when it comes to accessing our music.

A record shop remains at the heart of this and an independent shop such as Bunker provides a lot more than just a place to buy tunes. It’s a hub where visitors and locals gather to find out what’s on, and it’s a place where we meet and chat to other aficionados too.

I spent most of my youth in Comet Records and it was an important space for me as a teenager, at a time when I was working out my direction in life. I later worked in Comet for many years, and to this day I like hanging out in these shops when I can.

I spoke last week of how lucky we are in Cork to have these spaces, at a time when young people are increasingly criticised for being isolated online, and at a time when we need safe refuges more than ever. Bunker, Music Zone, 33RPM, Plug’d and others have been these spaces for us all. John and Bunker will be a massive loss.

Community is everything and in Cork there are many different independent venues and shops offering a unique vibe and a decent choice for us music fans. The mainstream music world has often become generic but it’s the grassroots which keeps things interesting. It’s important to keep our culture alive. I’ve written a lot of articles here over the last 20 years about venues and shops that have gone.

I read last week that the City Council have now decided that they won’t be continuing the role of Night Time Economy Advisor, which was held by Fiona Collins since 2023. A city that has promised an event centre for the last few decades should surely be trying to actively support and fund more culture during these times?

You can’t measure the contribution that people like John Dwyer make to Cork

Despite the efforts of some great people, culture in Cork and Ireland sometimes seems to remain little more than a photo opportunity at times, and I’m speaking to many artists every day who are struggling to keep practicing their art.

You can’t measure the contribution that people like John make to Cork, but let’s hope he gets back to full health as soon as possible. Bunker Vinyl made a big mark here.