Paul and family mark 25 years’ service at the Chapel – and there’s still more to come

A MAJOR milestone was celebrated at Killarney Golf Club as it marked the 25th anniversary of ‘The Chapel’, its ‘halfway house’, last week.

‘The Chapel’ opened for business in 1993 and has been a mainstay of the club ever since, serving both courses with great diligence. Paul Cotter has been a familiar presence in his role at ‘The Chapel’ ever since that summer 25 years ago, and he was in a reflective mood when The Kerryman spoke to him on the day of the anniversary.

“We have a lot of memories,” he said.

“We’ve served a lot of famous faces since we started out, from Michael Fassbender to Michael Jordan, and even the King of Malaysia. The list is endless.

“Business is going well; we just keep plugging away,” he added.

The shop serves a range of appetisers and refreshments to hungry golfers, keeping them fed and watered as they make their way around the courses.

From burgers and sandwiches to soft drinks, ice creams, and other treats, ‘The Chapel’ is also there to provide barbecues and buffets for corporate groups and those enjoying the club’s many golf classics.

There’s a strong family element to what takes place at ‘The Chapel’, Paul explained, adding a further sense of achievement in looking back on the past quarter of a century.

“My wife, and my daughter, Emma, would be the main people helping me out,” he said.

“We’re going well and we’re hopeful for the future as well.”

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin LEFT: Paul Cotter of ‘The Chapel” at the Killarney Golf and Fishing, where his shop, ‘The Chapel’, celebrated its 25th anniversary last week.