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Demise Of The GAA Pubs

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Tomsmith here I lament the demise of the famous Gaa pubs in all Towns. While the Imperial in Cavan Town the home of Cavan Gaels who have been the top Club in Cavan for the past 20 years is still a fountain of knowledge, others have disappeared. I see the last time Cavan played up in Croke Park, Quins or what was called Mc Governs at the top of Clonliffe Road is closed up, This was a famous Pub for getting the handy ticket. If you were brave enough ( I dont mean a mouch ) to wait to near the start time a fellow with a few drinks would decide to not go to the game and you could get the ticket, Often if you were short of change after paying at Berkley Rd Chapel he would not even look for money. Happy times then.. But I am sure every Town has lost great Gaa Pubs ?? tomsmith (Cavan) - Posts: 3858 - 13/12/2022 09:06:55 2450257 Link
Tom my friend you are certainly not helping eradicate the Cavan stereotype with that middle paragraph there. Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 183 - 13/12/2022 10:38:42 2450271 Link
Replying To tomsmith: "Tomsmith here I lament the demise of the famous Gaa pubs in all Towns. While the Imperial in Cavan Town the home of Cavan Gaels who have been the top Club in Cavan for the past 20 years is still a fountain of knowledge, others have disappeared. I see the last time Cavan played up in Croke Park, Quins or what was called Mc Governs at the top of Clonliffe Road is closed up, This was a famous Pub for getting the handy ticket. If you were brave enough ( I dont mean a mouch ) to wait to near the start time a fellow with a few drinks would decide to not go to the game and you could get the ticket, Often if you were short of change after paying at Berkley Rd Chapel he would not even look for money. Happy times then.. But I am sure every Town has lost great Gaa Pubs ??" Must be quite a while since you were in Croke Park. Quinns is shut for some time now. Lifting of people over turnstyles is banned as well. GAA folk now eat in hostellies around Croke Park instead of having a flask of tae and hang sandwiches in the Hogan Stand. Jack L (None) - Posts: 3099 - 13/12/2022 11:18:24 2450280 Link
Replying To Meath10: "Tom my friend you are certainly not helping eradicate the Cavan stereotype with that middle paragraph there." For sure but in fairness its another great post. I have a picture of the man in my head. I wonder does he look anything like it though?!! Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 13/12/2022 13:01:32 2450296 Link
Replying To Viking66: "For sure but in fairness its another great post. I have a picture of the man in my head. I wonder does he look anything like it though?!!" Was he at the 1952 Final? Or the Polo Groubds? Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1419 - 13/12/2022 13:12:23 2450302 Link
It's pubs in general that are closing down. Covid seems to have increased their demise. The price of drink, cost of running a bar and Gardai with next morning checkpoints have all contributed to the demise. My village has lost two pubs recently, post office and shop gone too. All that's left is one pub hanging by a thread and the GAA field. Sad to see. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11231 - 13/12/2022 13:13:53 2450304 Link
I guess Croke Park is the one spot where we all try to get to at some stage. Quinns closed along time as already stated. McGrath's nearby still open and great to see The Big Tree back open and a nice looking hotel directly behind for an overflow and more kid friendly. Stand to be corrected but most of the pubs near county grounds around the country are still going strong ? BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1130 - 13/12/2022 13:39:05 2450309 Link
Replying To tomsmith: "Tomsmith here I lament the demise of the famous Gaa pubs in all Towns. While the Imperial in Cavan Town the home of Cavan Gaels who have been the top Club in Cavan for the past 20 years is still a fountain of knowledge, others have disappeared. I see the last time Cavan played up in Croke Park, Quins or what was called Mc Governs at the top of Clonliffe Road is closed up, This was a famous Pub for getting the handy ticket. If you were brave enough ( I dont mean a mouch ) to wait to near the start time a fellow with a few drinks would decide to not go to the game and you could get the ticket, Often if you were short of change after paying at Berkley Rd Chapel he would not even look for money. Happy times then.. But I am sure every Town has lost great Gaa Pubs ??" The problem is we now have an element in our society with a loud voice as to what people should do and not do. The local pub was the social center in rural areas for many people. Mental health deteriorated for many when the obstacles to going there made it impossible to do. Would we prefer they stay at home with no social interaction and blowing their brains out with cocaine or a shot gun ? Laws were required to control drunk drivers from driving at 100mph and killing people. We always seem to take the sledge hammer to kill a fly. However I would like to see the stats on how many accidents occurred by the local travelling 5km to his local social center (pub). Back on your subject the demise of these pubs is a loss with a few factors the cause. I have a brother who never touched alcohol in his life but would want to stop in every pub between Thurles and Waterford. We never objected. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 13/12/2022 14:21:02 2450317 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "It's pubs in general that are closing down. Covid seems to have increased their demise. The price of drink, cost of running a bar and Gardai with next morning checkpoints have all contributed to the demise. My village has lost two pubs recently, post office and shop gone too. All that's left is one pub hanging by a thread and the GAA field. Sad to see." As Bob Dylan sang "The Times They Are A-Changin" and I don't think they are for the better. Rural Ireland with all its quirks and charms will soon be a thing of the past. The rural part will still be there but quirks and charms will be gone. Sad really cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 454 - 13/12/2022 14:48:04 2450322 Link
Replying To Seanfanbocht: "Was he at the 1952 Final? Or the Polo Groubds?" Long walk from the polo grounds to Quinns!! Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 13/12/2022 15:01:04 2450324 Link
Never liked either of the two pubs first mentioned. Nor Big Tree much. Auld Triangle is good GAA pub as is Gills and the Bridge Tavern on Summerhill is good match day place. Favourite county ground pub is the Park View in Kilkenny. Must be nearly closest of any pub to county ground? O'Loughlin's a bit further out is good spot too. Always have samboes for visiting Dubs, and others I'm sure! Navan is great town for a match and good crack. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2557 - 13/12/2022 15:04:12 2450325 Link
Replying To BigSur: "I guess Croke Park is the one spot where we all try to get to at some stage. Quinns closed along time as already stated. McGrath's nearby still open and great to see The Big Tree back open and a nice looking hotel directly behind for an overflow and more kid friendly. Stand to be corrected but most of the pubs near county grounds around the country are still going strong ?" Quinn's closed about 4-6 years ago. The new owners applied for planning permission to build apartments on the site about two years ago. The planners refused them stating the historical significance of this pub during GAA matches. Nothing has happened to the Quinn's site since. However the GAA sold land at Holy Cross College where GAA supporters parked for matches in Croke Park, at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones Road to an international developer who got planning permission for 1,600 build to rent apartments. (The biggest scheme in Dublin). One of the proposed apartment blocks is 18 stories high. A very high percentage of these apartments are single bedroom apartments. (Not family friendly). The GAA also plan to build a new hotel on part of the land that they have retained. If this huge development goes ahead (is actually built) don't be surprised if the new owners of Quinn's might reconsider their options and built a super Gastro Pub? McGraths, Kennedy's. Fagans & The Big Tree still going. letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 507 - 13/12/2022 16:04:34 2450331 Link
Replying To letsgetgoing: "Quinn's closed about 4-6 years ago. The new owners applied for planning permission to build apartments on the site about two years ago. The planners refused them stating the historical significance of this pub during GAA matches. Nothing has happened to the Quinn's site since. However the GAA sold land at Holy Cross College where GAA supporters parked for matches in Croke Park, at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones Road to an international developer who got planning permission for 1,600 build to rent apartments. (The biggest scheme in Dublin). One of the proposed apartment blocks is 18 stories high. A very high percentage of these apartments are single bedroom apartments. (Not family friendly). The GAA also plan to build a new hotel on part of the land that they have retained. If this huge development goes ahead (is actually built) don't be surprised if the new owners of Quinn's might reconsider their options and built a super Gastro Pub? McGraths, Kennedy's. Fagans & The Big Tree still going." I thought the big tree was supposed to be sold and turned into a hotel a few years ago? That didn't seem to go ahead. MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 784 - 13/12/2022 17:06:07 2450334 Link
Replying To letsgetgoing: "Quinn's closed about 4-6 years ago. The new owners applied for planning permission to build apartments on the site about two years ago. The planners refused them stating the historical significance of this pub during GAA matches. Nothing has happened to the Quinn's site since. However the GAA sold land at Holy Cross College where GAA supporters parked for matches in Croke Park, at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones Road to an international developer who got planning permission for 1,600 build to rent apartments. (The biggest scheme in Dublin). One of the proposed apartment blocks is 18 stories high. A very high percentage of these apartments are single bedroom apartments. (Not family friendly). The GAA also plan to build a new hotel on part of the land that they have retained. If this huge development goes ahead (is actually built) don't be surprised if the new owners of Quinn's might reconsider their options and built a super Gastro Pub? McGraths, Kennedy's. Fagans & The Big Tree still going." Did the GAA own that site? Shame on them if so. 18 storey slums. Helping to turn Dublin into another Parisian ban lieu. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2557 - 13/12/2022 17:11:24 2450335 Link
Replying To MachaireConnacht: "I thought the big tree was supposed to be sold and turned into a hotel a few years ago? That didn't seem to go ahead." They were forced to reassess. Back open as more or less the same with the old beer garden turned into inside space. Still ludicrously claiming to have been "established in 1543" :-) BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2557 - 13/12/2022 17:15:38 2450337 Link
Replying To cluichethar: "As Bob Dylan sang "The Times They Are A-Changin" and I don't think they are for the better. Rural Ireland with all its quirks and charms will soon be a thing of the past. The rural part will still be there but quirks and charms will be gone. Sad really" Sad to say you are right. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 13/12/2022 17:25:47 2450338 Link
Replying To MachaireConnacht: "I thought the big tree was supposed to be sold and turned into a hotel a few years ago? That didn't seem to go ahead." It was... and the pub was retained / refurbished. Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 844 - 13/12/2022 17:34:18 2450340 Link
Replying To Canuck: "The problem is we now have an element in our society with a loud voice as to what people should do and not do. The local pub was the social center in rural areas for many people. Mental health deteriorated for many when the obstacles to going there made it impossible to do. Would we prefer they stay at home with no social interaction and blowing their brains out with cocaine or a shot gun ? Laws were required to control drunk drivers from driving at 100mph and killing people. We always seem to take the sledge hammer to kill a fly. However I would like to see the stats on how many accidents occurred by the local travelling 5km to his local social center (pub). Back on your subject the demise of these pubs is a loss with a few factors the cause. I have a brother who never touched alcohol in his life but would want to stop in every pub between Thurles and Waterford. We never objected." The modern rural generation of 18 to 30 year olds are not ones for sitting in a rural pub drinking pints anymore. They are into their coffee, gym, cocktails bars, restaurants and weekends away. The rural pub just doesn't cut it for them, not fashionable enough. That's the reality. Past hurler (None) - Posts: 726 - 13/12/2022 17:36:42 2450341 Link
Replying To MachaireConnacht: "I thought the big tree was supposed to be sold and turned into a hotel a few years ago? That didn't seem to go ahead." The Big Tree was sold and the new owners applied to build a hotel on the site. However the planning permission stated that the front structure of the Big Tree had to be maintained. What exists now is the Big Tree pub with some modifications and a new hotel attached which directly behind it on the North Circular Road. I presume the same person/company owns both premises. The new hotel is called Dublin One which has an additional bar that also does food. Further down towards Croke Park on the North Circular Road you have The Hogan Stand and The Hideout (down a side road) . Gills pub at Jones Road appears to be closed at the moment. letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 507 - 13/12/2022 17:45:58 2450342 Link
Replying To cluichethar: "As Bob Dylan sang "The Times They Are A-Changin" and I don't think they are for the better. Rural Ireland with all its quirks and charms will soon be a thing of the past. The rural part will still be there but quirks and charms will be gone. Sad really" It's dying rapid…at least the GAA club draws the young people back at the weekends and for the summer. Without the GAA we would have nothing left. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11231 - 13/12/2022 18:20:29 2450347 Link