The Avondhu

NUALA CALLS TIME IN FERMOY

- BY GEORGE O’KEEFE

Nuala Fitzgibbon served her last drinks in the iconic D. Fitzgibbon’s Pub on MacCurtain Street, Fermoy last Friday.

The pub - where everybody knows your name or won’t be long asking for it – has played witness to many singers, scholars, poets, storytelle­rs and quizmaster­s in every corner down through the years, as well as those in need of some simple refreshmen­t. Nuala and her pub are an institutio­n in Fermoy, where stories and artefacts of local and global interest are never in short supply.

Serving the public since 1877, the pub has witnessed and been part of many pivotal events in Fermoy’s history. However, last Friday, this story came to a close as Nuala served her last night behind the bar where her father and mother served before her. Her many patrons, neighbours and friends were there to wish their favourite landlady a happy retirement.

It was a great night of laughter, banter, song and story. A night to remember and everyone had a fantastic time thanks to Nuala’s unfailing hospitalit­y. But alas, the doors have closed for the last time, no more clinking of glass, the flame is gone out in the hearth and Nuala has hung up her boots so to speak.

“We will miss it dearly but we are richer for the memories and the friends we all made,” local George O’Keefe reflected.

“A sincere thank you to Nuala for her hospitalit­y and years of service to the community she loves and we all hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement. Go raibh maith agat, a Nuala”.

 ?? (Pic: George O’Keefe) ?? Nuala Fitzgibbon, proudly displaying her retirement card.
(Pic: George O’Keefe) Nuala Fitzgibbon, proudly displaying her retirement card.
 ?? (Pic: George O’Keefe) ?? HERE’S TO NUALA - Ken Butterwort­h behind the bar with proprietor Nuala Fitzgibbon, as the popular hostelry served patrons for the final time on Friday night.
(Pic: George O’Keefe) HERE’S TO NUALA - Ken Butterwort­h behind the bar with proprietor Nuala Fitzgibbon, as the popular hostelry served patrons for the final time on Friday night.

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