Bertie's Bass draughted in for thirsty Taoiseach

JENNIFER LOPEZ has to have her own chef and Cher reputedly demands a separate room for her wigs, but all Bertie looks for when he's on tour is a humble pint of his favourite beer.

When it comes to catering for VIPs, the world-famous Parknasilla Hotel on the Ring of Kerry will push the boat out, move mountains and generally bend over backwards to keep their guests happy.

Such service has ensured the custom of royal families, business barons and assorted celebrities over decades of dealing with the rich and famous.

But when the Taoiseach comes to stay in his favourite summer hideaway all the management have to do to win his affection is roll a few kegs of Bass down from Dublin.

The bar has taken delivery of three kegs - about 250 pints - and the nectar of the Dubs will be flowing for about the next three weeks.

“We don’t normally serve it but we’ve done this for about the last five years for a special customer,” said deputy bar manager Brian Foley.

“I have a spare beer line ready so all I have to do is connect up the kegs and tap and it’s ready to go.”

And it goes fast. Bertie puts a few dents in a keg himself but the stamp of a statesman’s approval instantly ups the tipple’s appeal among the rest of the guests. “It’s fairly popular all right. People take it that wouldn’t normally just to say they’re drinking Bertie’s Bass.”

The hotel would save themselves a lot of trouble if they popped down to the off-licence and stocked up on a few six-packs but that won’t do for a connoisseur.

“Cans don’t seem to work for him. He likes his draught. But it’s no bother. We like to do what we can,” assured Brian.

Any unopened keg at the end of Bass season at Parknasilla is dutifully returned to Dublin so that there’s no chance of the Taoiseach suffering a stale pint on his next trip.

But if he’s thinking of taking a memento of his stay with him, he’ll have to make do with the free shampoos, soap, towels and dressing gowns.

“The keg goes back to the brewery if there’s one left - which isn’t very often.”