Five generations later and still the cornerstone of life in Ballyheigue
THE black and amber of Ballyheigue are well and truly embodied by K. L. Kirby’s Bar, and not just by the colour of the premises’ exterior.
As the first bar to be established in Ballyheigue, KLS was a focal point of community life for many years, and remains an important part of the village.
Records for the pub date all they way back to 1867, when the Crosbie family ordered then owner Michael Kirby to move the premises to the other side of the street as they felt that no building should have its back to the castle. Kirby promptly relocated, and the bar remains in the same spot to this day.
Five generations later, and another bit of history was created when current licensee Mike Leane took over the pub in 1986 after the passing of his father Donal B. At the tender age of 18, he was the youngest publican in Ireland at the time, and the first to be granted a licence under new laws that changed the minimum age of a pub owner from 21 to 18.
Local lore is visible on practically every wall, from framed photographs of Ballyheigue’s hurling teams, to a portrait of Charlie Haughey, who used to enjoy a pint or two by the sea.
A famous regular of KL’S was author of My Left Foot Christy Brown, who once lived in Ballyheigue. His parting gift of a bronze bust of himself is proudly displayed over the fireplace, fittingly alongside Cuinne na bhfili, or Poet’s Corner.
Another well-known visitor is 15- times world darts champion Phil Taylor, who visited KLS in 2004 to play against local punters.
A poster advertising the Ballyheigue Races in 1968 discreetly notes the role KLS had in reviving the annual festival. Then owner Donal B. Leane reestablished the old Christmas tradition of horse and pony races on the beach and a cup is now dedicated to the memory of him and his wife Noreen. Another cup has been named in honour of the late Rev Fr Jerry Kirby, who was the current owner’s grand-uncle. Like his father, Mike Leane now serves on the racing committee.
Ballyheigue hurling tradition is strongly supported by Kirby’s, who are the main sponsor of the local team, while underage hurling is partly funded by the Rev Fr Kirby Trust. No wonder, considering that Mike formed part of Ballyheigue’s winning hurling team in 1982. A photograph of the line-up has pride of place in the bar. It seems that times have not changed much from then, as Mike points out that many of the players left Ballyheigue to find work abroad.
Mike and his wife Cathy sponsor the village’s annual Summerfest, host meetings and events in KLS and help fund Ballyheigue’s sports clubs. Mike says it is important that KLS continues to contribute to the community. “Everything in Ballyheigue rose out of Kirby’s,” says Mike. “We try to be active in everything and hope to keep doing so. We want to help out the best we can.”
However, like many other bars, KLS has been affected by the recession.
“The recession has affected us big time,” says Mike, who is joint treasurer of the North Kerry Vintner’s Association. “
Bar trade is almost completely gone. Most of our trade is now on Saturday night, and then we get a few regulars during the week. People do not have the spare money to drink.”
Mike further added that the new drink driving laws have also had a detrimental affect on the business. However, Mike remains confident that he will be able to pass on the business to the next generation.
“I hope to be able to pass it on to the sixth generation and they will keep on the trade. But I am hoping that my son and daughter will finish school and they will have an education to fall back on,” he said.