Gripped by the hand of history in place of natural bliss
FROM Parnell, through to silent movies, civil war and even the EU Council, Beaufort Bar has certainly been gripped by the hand of history.
Harmonising with its scenic surroundings, the stone-clad building lies shaded under the gaze of a mature sycamore and for over 160 years it’s been an integral part of life in the mid Kerry village. Owned by the fourth generation of O’sullivans, the local family takes huge pride in preserving it’s history and in providing a relaxed ambience that’s second to none.
Inside you won’t hear the intruding sounds of poker machines or pool tables and it’s rare that there’s music inside – instead it’s all about the conversation and it’s to a constant background track, the hiss of a perfect pint. Upstairs too there’s an award-winning restaurant manned by Executive Chef Timmy Brosnan, availing of locally sourced produce.
Downstairs it’s a picture postcard scene – an open fireplace reflects off a spotlessly buffed floor, there’s 16 different types of wood panelling on display and a rosewood counter that’s transported from Papua New Guinea. Owner Padruig O’sullivan is justifiably proud of the decor and fittings and, as a keen environmentalist, he’s quick to point out that it’s largely recycled.
“When we extended the bar and started our restaurant in 1999, we tried to use as many natural materials as possible. The stone outside came from old buildings that had fallen down in Tomies and the Black Valley. An amazing character, Johnny Denis O’donoghue, gave us the stone. The flags on our windows also come from ruins in the Black Valley. Nearly all the wood – except the rosewood counter – is harvested locally, from storm-felled trees such as elm and oak, all to give a natural look.”
The extension is just the latest chapter in a long and colourful story. The O’sullivans can date the licence back to 1841 when they acquired the bar. Of course, there’s a story there too.
“I suppose it was like something out of The Field in that it was originally bought by an American at an auction after the previous owners’ daughter had no interest in taking it over,” Padruig explains.
“He outbid my great grandfather, also Patrick O’sullivan, and some few weeks later he returned to show some friends the property he had just bought. When told that it did not include an adjoining field there was a dispute and he threw it up – that’s how it came into our possession.”
The next significant date comes a full half century later. There’s a bronze cast of nationalist and Home Rule campaigner Charles Stewart Parnell sitting proudly inside, a nod to the events in 1891.
“It was the field next to the bar and it was Parnell’s first oration in Kerry, yet he died just six months later. Several thousand gathered to hear him and he is believed to have called into the bar.
“The landlord was John O’mahony and there were rumblings of instant eviction if Parnell was allowed access but my grandfather took a chance.”
Just 30 years later, Beaufort Bar is caught up in the Civil War, as Padruig continues.
“My grand uncle, Ned O’sullivan, was OC in Kerry Number Two, so there was a huge connection with the civil war. My grand aunt was also very active, and bitter, until the day she died. On one night she was working in the bar and distracted the soldiers with a few drinks to help local headteacher Johnny Coffey escape after they had taken him. He was sneaked out through a back entrance and into the dark. There were shots fired in the bar but thankfully no one injured and he made his way to Tomies Wood.”
A Fianna Fáil house, the bar has held countless Cumman meetings over the years and former ministers John O’leary and John O’donoghue have held regular clinics inside. Other significant visitors included Brian Lenihan Snr and Bertie Ahern. Indeed, when Ireland held the Presidency of the European Union Council back in 2004, Beaufort Bar was chosen as a venue for a top level agricultural gathering, chaired by then Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh.
“I’d never seen such a big security operation in the village – guards, State cars, courtesy cars and ambulances. We had Irish music and dancing late into the night and it’s something we’ll never forget,” Padruig recalls.
Outside of the political domain, other famous visitors have included former Irish soccer manager Mick Mccarthy, renowned cricketer Ian Botham, Scottish rugby stars Gavin and Scott Hastings, rugby star Moss Keane and countless GAA stars.
Indeed, the house is a GAA stronghold and Padruig’s father Patrick remains hugely involved with the Fitzgerald Stadium committee after stepping down as chairman last year. And when The Kerryman visited on Saturday last, the Mid Kerry GAA committee was dining in the bar, after Glenbeigh/glencar had taken the spoils in this year’s Mid Kerry final, held in Beaufort.
From politics, to sport and everything in between, Beaufort Bar’s history is long and colourful and it’s one that’s still unfolding – all under the watchful eye of Padruig, his father Patrick and brothers Carl and Eamonn and with a huge helping hand from bar staff Kevin Devane and Mary Ashe.