North Cork residents intend to buy last pub in Cullen village to combat social isolation

Fleming's Tavern, also known as Art O’Connor’s, and its adjoining four-bed house are up for sale for €300,000. File picture

A small village in North Cork has set about battling social isolation among its residents by trying to buy and reopen the last pub in the area.

Locals in the tiny village of Cullen are to form a fundraising committee to purchase the former Fleming’s Tavern, which closed its doors last September.

Damian Hickey, one of the organisers of the campaign, said Cullen boasted five pubs not so long ago. It also had three shops, a petrol station, and a post office, which have all closed.

The pub, also known as Art O’Connor’s, and its adjoining four-bed house are up for sale for €300,000.

“We know that it is a viable business because the previous owner did a very good trade there,” said Mr Hickey.

He and others in the group have already sought advice from other communities that have bought out their local pubs, such as in Kilteely, Co Limerick, and Dromid, Co Kerry.

Mr Hickey said the expectation is that they will form a limited company with shareholders who will vote in directors to oversee the running of the pub.

“We’re concerned about the impact not having a pub has on social isolation for older people,” said Mr Hickey.

There used to be a group of eight or nine men in their 70s who would meet in Art O’Connor’s regularly for a game of cards and a chat.

“They have been put at a disadvantage since its closure. It has upset them. We also want there to be a place for the young people to meet.”

While the project is in a “very embryonic stage”, he is hopeful that it will get good backing from locals.

“We have a great community spirit in Cullen,” said Mr Hickey. “We have a very good GAA club, a fine community centre, and a modern national school and creche. We also have a very good Tidy Towns association and special needs association and a pipe band, which has won world titles.”

The village has a population of fewer than 100 people and the parish has approximately 400.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan said he hopes the Cullen initiative works out.

“Ten years ago, there were seven pubs in Knocknagree,” he said. “Now there are only two and one only opens on weekends. Boherbue is down to one. Banteer, and Rathcoole have none. I think a community without a pub loses a bit of its soul.”