When Big Jack went fishing on The Blackwater
Local publican Nora Roche shares memories of Jack who felt right at home at Roche’s Bar
THE death of legendary soccer star and manager Jack Charlton has been met with sadness across the nation but nowhere more than in Killavullen where he loved to relax... and fish.
The former Ireland manager who successfully led us to a World Cup quarter-final, loved a good yarn and found a haven in the former Roche’s Bar in Killavullen – in between lengthy bouts spent fishing on the banks of The Blackwater.
Former publican Nora Roche described Jack as a “perfect gentleman” who would drop in regularly while on fishing trips.
“He would sit in the corner and the fishermen would sit around him but he would always facilitate everyone. He would sign cards or beermats,” recalls Nora.
The first time he came to the village was in the 1990s and he returned regularly after that until around 2004 but many living there have fond memories of Jack
“We had some lovely days on the Blackwater,” said local fisherman and ghillie Jer Butler.
“He would be on the phone giving his verdicts and he would be fishing with me. We often would have a good laugh about that,” Jer added.
“A LOVELY man” is how Nora Roche described Jack Charlton this week. The former Irish manager and World Cup winner was a regular visitor to the village of Killavullen and Nora was amongst his friends in the village.
Nora ran Roche’s Bar in Killavullen, now closed, and Jack would drop in regularly while on fishing trips in the North Cork village.
Jack was a keen fisherman and would regularly come to Killavullen to fish on the River Blackwater. Roche’s Bar was one of his favourite haunts while holidaying in the area.
“He would sit in the corner and the fishermen would sit around him but he would always facilitate everyone. He would sign cards or beermats,” recalls Nora.
“He would always joke at the bar whether I wanted cash or a cheque.”
The first time he came to the village was in the 1990s and he returned regularly after that. The Blackwater River was the main draw and the last time he visited was around 2004 but many living there have fond memories of Jack.
Nora recalls the first weekend Jack visited and the village was ‘thronged’.
“It was a great night and he facilitated everyone.”
The first time he came to the region he stayed in Ballyhooley Castle but visited everywhere in the village, including Roche’s where he became a firm favourite.
“I was shocked when I saw him but I did know he was coming. He was with fishermen from Northern Ireland and Cork and they still return. They have been coming for 40 years - in fact one of them is coming this week.”
Jack too came with them for many years, often with Dave Croft.
“He would fish the Hennessy stretch, the
Killavullen Fishing Club stretch and near Carrigacunna Castle,” says Nora.
The pair became good friends and Jack would take his lunch-break from fishing in Roche’s Bar when it was open or closed.
“At that time pubs would not open until 4pm but he would come in the hall door and bring a French bread roll, a punnet of strawberries and cream and he would say you whip the cream and I’ll make the sandwiches,” recalls Nora.
“He would take the centre out of the bread and fill it with ham and cheese, he’d have a few pints, and then head back fishing.”
Nora said she was hugely saddened to hear of his death at the weekend.
“He was a lovely man... It is very sad, it is the end of an era. Those were great times when he was around.”
She said that there was always a great buzz when he was in the vicinity and the children in the street were particularly in awe of a living legend.
“He was great with children on the street. Their eyes would light up when they saw him. I think he even visited the school when he was here.”
And that was the way ‘Big Jack’ was with everyone.
“He was lovely with his time.”