A beloved family-run pub near Blarney has shared the sad news that they will close their doors after 40 years in business. Sunday, November 3 will mark the final day of business in the country pub, Blair's Inn, the Blair family said, explaining, “I hope you appreciate that we haven’t taken this decision lightly. We have simply given it our all. As for the future of this magical pub; well that’s a conversation for another time,” they wrote in an emotional post on Facebook.
A Legacy of Community and Celebration
The family thanked staff past and present, saying, “We have had a constant stream of fantastic young people through the place over the years. They are genuinely a credit to our community and it has been a pleasure to get to know and work with so many of them over the years.” Supporters in the industry who gave their business a lift with great reviews, including Georgina Campbell who awarded them Pub of the Year Award in 2013, were also thanked.
Additionally, they recognised “our fantastic regulars and locals,” saying: “We will be eternally grateful for all your support, particularly those of you that stuck with us through the challenges of the last four and a half years.” They recalled Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, New Year’s Eve banquets, huge community barbecues, weddings, big corporate events as well as christenings, communions, confirmations and graduations, saying “some of you have even celebrated each one of those milestones here with us.” Sunday night sing songs and Monday night trad music sessions were also among the good memories, with the owner noting The Stargazers, John Spillane, the Polyphonics, the Second City Jazz Band, the Cork City Jazz Band, Jimmy Crowley, the Irish Weavers and Laughing Shamrocks playing there.
The Heart of the Community
“It’s been a wild ride with memories to last a lifetime,” they said, adding that their favourite part “was always the chats across the bar with the locals. Lads, the craic has been just mighty. It really has been a pleasure to be at the heart of such an amazing community for so long.”
The pub was opened following the closure of the Blair family chemist during the recession of the 1980s. The move was a big shift for John and Anne but it didn't take long for the couple to find their feet. The pair eventually passed on the running of the pub to their sons Richard and Duncan in the early 2000s.
Blair's Inn was crowned Pub of the Year 2014 in the Georgina Campbell Awards and later went on to receive awards from Tripadvisor and the Irish Pub Guide among others.
Facing the Challenges of the Industry
While the family gave no specific reason for the closure, the hospitality industry has been facing its fair share of challenges here in Ireland with owners struggling to stay afloat. The Blair family said they'd simply given it their all and felt that closing the doors was the best option for now.
The family concluded: “I hope you appreciate that we haven’t taken this decision lightly. We have simply given it our all. As for the future of this magical pub; well that’s a conversation for another time.”
The closure was announced on social media alongside a photo album containing dozens of photos from down through the years showing the fond memories made inside the pub.
The Blair family said: “Sadly Sunday, November 3rd will mark the final day of this particular chapter in the history of this mighty little country pub.
We’d like to acknowledge our phenomenal staff (past and present). I have always said there must be something in the water out here. We have had a constant stream of fantastic young people through the place over the years. They are genuinely a credit to our community and it has been a pleasure to get to know and work with so many of them over the years.
We’d also like to recognise our fantastic regulars and locals. We will be eternally grateful for all your support, particularly those of you who stuck with us through the challenges of the last four and a half years.
It’s been a wild ride with memories to last a lifetime; the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, the New Year’s Eve banquets, huge community barbecues, weddings, big corporate events for the likes of Apple, EMC & Blizzard.
Farewell, Blair's Inn: A Community Mourns
The family reminisced about all the incredible musical acts they've had in the bar over the years with well-known local names like John Spillane and the Cork City Jazz Band among the highlights. The pub was well known for the Monday night trad sessions, a tradition that will now be sorely missed by long-time patrons.
They continued: “My favourite though was always the chats across the bar with the locals. We’ve solved Brexit (every major global issue there is going in fact), managed premier league-winning soccer teams, won All Irelands & come up with gold medal-winning strategies for the likes of the O’Donovans & Katie Taylor; amazing what you can do over a few pints! ”
The closure of Blair's Inn marks the end of an era for the community of Cloghroe. It is a reminder of the importance of local pubs and the role they play in bringing people together. Though the doors may be closing, the memories and the spirit of Blair's Inn will live on in the hearts of those who called it their local.
