Legendary publican never pulled a pint

January 2000

Legendary Tacumshane publican Mike Meyler, who died on Tuesday, spent seventy years behind the bar and never pulled a pint.

Mike, who was 87 years old, retired last July and handed over his old-style pub and shop to his son, Gerry.

It was one of his proudest boasts that though he had spent a lifetime in the trade, he had never pulled a pint of draught beer, as he would only allow bottles on the premises.

Mike’s pub was formerly owned by his unclein-law Gerry Murphy, who left the premises to him on his death in 1957.

He started working behind the count when he was a teenager and showed his early skills as a barman when he sold a record number of drinks at the Killinick Harriers point-to-point in Knockhowlin when he was only fifteen. He served six cases of baby Powers (128 in each case), and 350 dozen bottles of stout, all in just three and half hours.

Though he was surrounded by alcohol all his life, he never felt inclined to take a drop himself. He used to smoke cigarettes, but gave them up fifteen years ago.

Following his retirement last summer, he still spent time in the shop and pub helping Gerry and his wife Teresa, and chatting to regular customers.

An ardent follower of the GAA throughout his life, Mike took immense satisfaction from the achievements of his son John, who played senior hurling with Wexford and Cork, winning an All-Ireland medal with the Leesiders as a substitute in 1986.

Mike is survived by his wife Josephine, sons Gerry and John, daughter Carmel, sisters Anne and Eileen, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.