Hogans call last orders at Coachford Pub

After almost 16 years John and Siobhan Hogan finally called time at their pub onMain street Coachford last Friday night. The very popular couple took over the pub in 1998 and ran a very successful business at the Village Inn for years, The pub was one of the most popular drinking establishments in Mid Cork and was very much loved by the community and visitors.  John and Siobhan held a farewell party last Friday with many of the pubs regulars down through the years turning up to say farewell to their local. A lot of those who served inside the counter were also in attendance. John and Siobhan Hogan ran a good business and offered something more than just a pub to the community.  Hogan’s was not just a pub. The building was a pub for many years before John and Siobhan took it over. Any place could be a pub. But Hogans was special. Hogan’s not only served drink, it served the community. It served as a theatre, a church, an auction room, a museum, a lecture theatre, a changing room, a dance hall, a games room, a meeting room for many organisations and groups. It was the scene of wild celebrations and countless parties. It was the venue for christenings and wakes. It fed flower groups, footballers and farmers. It was the home of race nights for Horses and even mice. It was the venue for performers, players and late night poker. It was the pub for the sing song, the session and the set.

Hogans was where everything was at. This pub was the focal point for so many things. There is no doubt that John and Siobhan ran a great pub but they also ran the village’s unofficial tourist office for many years. This pub was often the first place strangers would come to when arriving in the village. It is no coincidence that countless fishermen used  here as their Irish head quarters and than many new people who set up home in the area quickly considered Hogans as their local and John and Siobhan as friends. Hogans was also an unofficial FÁS training centre. There was many a young person received a crash course in the art of Bar work before heading out to the states or Australia so they would have something on the CV to carry them through a summer away from home.

Hogans was the first place in Cork county to serve black and white pudding along with sausages and wedges in baskets. It was the first and probably still is the only pub to have a FIFA Soccer tournament every St. Stephen’s Day. It is the pub that holds a Poker tournament in honour of a dear customer who never drank alcohol

To serve the community drink would have done. It’s what most pubs just do. But Hogans supported the community. They have sponsored the GAA, Soccer and Camogie Clubs. They organised and supported a sponsored mountain walk for ten years and raised over €100,000 in aid of Cystic Fibrosis from 1999 to 2009.  Spot prizes were doled out on a daily  basis for various lost and worthy causes. If there was something to be done around the village then John Hogan would be asked to do it and he rarely refused. He was, and still is involved in so many things, training teams, parents association, soccer club, GAA, Community council and even fishing. There were many nights when he should have been here but was stuck on some committee or at some pitch and Siobhan had to hold the fort. They are a unique partnership. They ran a unique pub and a unique business.

Chairperson of the Community Council, Deirdre O’Donovan said, “ While it is sad to see any business close,  the closure of Hogans is particularly devastating for the community. John and Siobhan ran a great business and their pub was almost like a community centre. Coachford, like every other community has felt the effects of the economic downturn and the loss of many of our young people overseas has affected pubs more than any other business. The village had four pubs for over 100 years and the loss of Hogans will be felt right throughout our community. I would appeal to everyone to support our local businesses and to try and make sure that we do not lose any more of our precious pubs and shops.”

Rescheduled Vintage AGM

The Broomhill Vintage Club will hold their rescheduled Annual General Meeting next Thursday night, February 13th in the Community House Coachford at 8.30pm. The Vintage club and Festival Committee had a very successful 2013 and will discuss the highs and lows of the previous 12 months and look ahead to 2014.  The club welcomes new members and everyone is invited to the AGM. Their annual spring run is scheduled to take place on Sunday April 13^th.

Brains of the Parish

It’s that time of year again … the annual Community Council Table Quiz!!!! Saturday, 22 February next in each village at 9pm. The venues this time are O’Callaghan’s, Coachford, Cremins, Aghabullogue – – The Anvil Bar (O’Brien’s), Rylane. The council hope to link the three villages by internet on the night and have the winning table in each venue enter into a three way playoff, for an overall winner. Rylane intends to keep its crown, Aghabullogue wants it back and Coachford is aiming to take it all. Tables of four are at a reasonable cost of €20 and proceeds will be used to fund the Community Council in its many ventures. Please do consider attending and supporting this worthwhile cause and as always a great night is guaranteed!

Aghabullogue are Munster Champions

Congratulations to the Aghabullogue Scór Quiz team who won the Munster title last night as they represented Aghabullogue and Cork. Well done  to Paul Ring, Aodan Healy, Tom Long and Niall Barry Murphy. The boys, all students of CoachfordCommunity College will now represent their club, county and province in the All Ireland Final in Castlebar Co. Mayo.

New club for Coachford

Coachford/Aghabullogue Macra na Feirme will be holding their first club meeting on Friday in the meeting room at the old Hogan’s Bar, Coachford at 8.30pm. New members are very welcome. For further information contact Jerry on 087 9315783 or Margaret on 086 3497934.