The Green milestone in Borrisokane
An extra special weekend awaits in Borrisokane as popular local hostelry The Green Bar celebrates its centenary.
This milestone event holds unique weight in the fact that the pub has been in the same family for the last 100 years. Now, after five generations and six publicans, current proprietor Eoin Coonan is inviting everyone in the local community and beyond to join in the centenary celebrations this Friday and Saturday night.
Named after the Fair Green once located outside the premises, The Green Bar opened 100 years ago to the day on Friday February 16th 1918. Its first owner, Bridget 'Delia' Cahalan ran it for almost 30 years before handing over the baton to her son, Michael Cahalan, in 1946. Known to many as 'Wheely Bowley' because of an expression he used, Michael was a skilled craftsman and the floor he laid in the bar is still walked on to this day.
His sister, Bridget Dennison, took on The Green Bar in 1951 and ran it until 1974. The next owner was Bridget's daughter, Mary Coonan, who was proprietress up to 1995. Her son, Chris Coonan, was in charge from then until 2013 when Eoin, his nephew, took over.
The pub has been through times thick and thin. It has seen numerous recessions as well as times of relative plenty. Structurally, it has seen many changes over the decades. The kitchen has been relocated on several occasions and the building was latterly extended to accommodate the numbers attending on weekends, a sure sign of the pub's popularity.
Census records show that The Green Bar existed long before Bridget Cahalan's time. Indeed, it seems there was a public house on the site from as early as Famine times. As was the case with most pubs of its era, The Green Bar also served as a grocery. Even as recently as 10 years ago, people would buy the likes of milk and beans at the bar, which still stocks sweets and chocolate.
It was always a good card-playing pub. There is still a tradition of drinkers playing for side of bacon in 45s.
Among other stories handed down the generations about members of the family who worked in the pub, Eoin tells of how his great-grandmother introduced a house rule whereby anyone with a glass in their hand at the 10pm closing time could remain to finish their drink. But anyone who had left their glass down had to get out – no matter how full it was.
There used to be dancing at the pub every Sunday night and this made it a big draw for people all over the hinterland. Always known as a traditional venue, until Eoin's arrival in 2013 there were only two occasions when a TV was brought into The Green Bar. The current incumbent recalls one of these being an all-Ireland hurling final, the other a soccer World Cup match.
He changed that when he took over and The Green now screens all the big games, becoming particularly popular for rugby matches. Music and events in the pub are sometimes live-streamed on social media too.
Nowadays The Green even has a gin menu. But despite its advance into modern times, Eoin has tried to keep the pub in tune with its past and it remains popular with cardplayers, storytellers, musicians and the singers' circle that meets there every month.
The Green Bar has always been involved in the local community, whether through sponsoring the local soccer or GAA clubs or hosting fundraising events for local causes. Now everyone in the community is welcome to join in the centenary party with live music and drinks promotions this Friday and Saturday night. Friday will see a free raffle with spot prizes including 100th anniversary clothing made specially for the occasion. Saturday night will have a 1900s theme and people will be invited to dress in fashions of that period, with a prize for the best-dressed couple.
Eoin is also inviting people to this month make contributions to a time capsule that will be buried outside the pub with the intention of being dug up again 100 years from now. People can put letters, photos, or whatever memento they want into the capsule for future generations to marvel at.
The Green Bar is twinned with a pub in Rhode Island courtesy of Tara Mulroy (whose father owned The Horseman Lounge in Clonmel) and she will be among those present for the celebrations in Borrisokane this weekend. As he looks forward to this historic occasion for The Green Bar, Eoin took the opportunity to thank all his customers for their friendship and support. Visit The Green Bar Facebook page for further updates.