Village pub that gave up the booze to survive

It’s the traditional Irish village pub that’s given up drink for business.

Conroy’s Old Bar in Aglish, near Borrisokane, in Co Tipperary, has everything the quiet rural pub needs — a wonderful, highly polished mahogany bar, large Liscannor flagstones on the floor, an open fire, comfy high stools, a dart-board, pumps, and optics.

However, it hasn’t sold a drop of alcohol since its owners transformed it into what they say is Ireland’s first self-catering pub.

Guests are allowed bring their own alcohol but owners Erron and Dave Slingsby say it “most definitely” is not a party venue.

“It is aimed at people who are looking for a quiet weekend in the country — not hen, stag or 21st birthday parties,” Erron said.

She also said the pub’s conversion could serve as a blueprint for rural publicans struggling to keep their business open in the recession.

“Our idea rather evolved — it was a slow burner,” she said.

“We started off promoting it on the internet, part-time, but we are doing it full-time now, and we have, in just the last few weeks, started running ‘green courses’, including spinning and weaving, and dry stone walling, from the pub.

“It must be hard struggling to run a rural pub these days — there are so many for sale on the market. It’s a shame so many rural Irish pubs are going to the wall.

“Ours had a lot of character and we liked the idea of saving a bit of Irish heritage. It’s a good idea and provides a good income.”

The Slingsbys, from Lincolnshire, England, fell in love with rural Ireland on their honeymoon and moved here 11 years ago.

They bought Conroy’s, nestled in Aglish, close to Lough Derg, Terryglass, and the River Shannon, about nine years ago, a year after its drinks licence was sold.

Erron and Dave then set about converting it into self-catering accommodation.

It now has two double rooms, one where the snug once was, and the other in the store, and a three-piece suite sits in front of the open fire.

The beer and spirit bottles on its shelves are full of nothing stronger than tea and coffee, and a fully-equipped kitchen complete with oven, hob, microwave, and fridge, has been installed behind the bar.

A large beer garden and barbecue area outside looks out over the Tipperary countryside.

And the Slingbys charge the same rates year-round — carving out a niche for themselves in Ireland’s “unusual accommodation” market.

While Conroy’s is not Fáilte Ireland approved, the tourism body does promote it on its website.

www.conroysoldbar.com