Carrigaline bar owners living American dream in Cork

Back from the US, and back into the bar-and-restaurant business on their home turf — it’s the Irish version of the American dream for John and Lisa Cronin.

However, business phone-listing hassles continue to remind them that Ireland didn’t change utterly in their absence: after five weeks they still can’t get their new number (021-4887696,) listed with directory services.

The couple, both from Carrigaline, are now the proud owners of the formerly-famed Overdraught bar and restaurant, in Minane Bridge, south Cork. It has a 30-year plus history of great steaks, grub and hospitality.

The duo returned from New York, and reopened the Overdaught’s doors in June, after a refurbishment that included the repositioning of the old, mahogany AIB bank counter and fixtures, which gave the place its name when established by Bob and Maura Carpenter.

New owners, John Cronin and Lisa (née Bray), had lived in Harlem and worked on the Manhattan’s Upper Eastside, in the US, and have 20 years’ experience each in the trade, on both sides of the Atlantic. Scouting for a business, they bought the Overdraught (plus four overhead bedrooms) via agent, Dennis Guerin, of Frank V Murphy & Co, at a sub-€175,000 sum, doing a refurbishment while also settling in a daughter Leah, aged four, and a baby son, Aaron, born just after they returned to Ireland.

They employ a chef, describe the menu as contemporary and, after their New York years, offer craft beers and cocktails over the old bank counter.

* Details: Frank V Murphy & Co, 021-4274204