The perfect stopover for those ‘parts of the world passing through’
A GUINNESS Ireland Facebook poll declared it as having the best pint of Guinness in Kerry, but the owner of Tarbert’s Swanky Bar, J. P. Prendiville and his wife Mary will not reveal what makes their pints of plain extra special.
“We couldn’t tell you that. That’s our secret!” J.P. said. Mary interjected: “All we can tell you is that the customers say that J.P. has to pull the pint, he has the best technique.”
When you walk into the Swanky you are struck by the vast amount of coursing pictures and trophies in the pub.this is down to the owner J.P.’S long association with the sport. He said: “I would be big into the coursing. I’ve owned a number of greyhounds down through the years and I think it’s nice to remember some of the very enjoyable days I have had in coursing by putting up pictures and trophies in the pub. Also, the name of the pub comes from the Swanky greyhound prefix which we own.”
He added: “I have a greyhound called Swanky Matt that will be running in Clonmel and I’m looking forward to that.”
J.P. took over the pub — which was originally called Carmody’s — in 1974 from his grand-aunt and now runs it with his wife Mary. The Swanky has seen some significant changes down the years and includes every facility that the modern day pubgoer requires.
“When I took over the place it was only a small pub. Where we have the lounge now used to be a kitchen and it was a pub and grocery all in one so it’s very different now. We have a heated smoking area with a television, a pool table, darts and we show matches on the big screen. It’s not like back in the old days when it was all about the conversation.”
When the couple were asked what they enjoy most about running the bar Mary jokingly replied: “The end of the day and going to bed! No but seriously the best thing about it is the characters you meet and hearing their stories. Everyone has stories. Paddy Scanlon (local man) was a great character. If Paddy came in and someone was sitting in his chair in the corner they would have to move because that was Paddy’s chair and he’d tell them to move as well.”
J.P. feels that the location of the pub near the island road in Tarbert means that you will always hear great stories. “With the ferry here in Tarbert there will always be people from different parts of the world passing through and you are bound to meet some great characters.”
With the new drink driving laws causing a downturn in the pub trade around the country J. P. offered his opinion on the mindset of punters in isolated ares. “People in the country can’t come in for a few drinks as they don’t want to risk getting put off the road. It’s very unfortunate for those people because the pub might be their only social outlet.”
Despite this and the current economic climate the Swanky is doing it’s best to attract the punters by holding theme nights, charity nights and competitions. A pool tournament held in the pub in December was a roaring success with a huge crowd attending the final. The aim of these nights Mary said is “to have a bit of fun and give people a reason to come in.”
The pub has also continued to support sports in Tarbert despite the current economic climate. The local soccer team Ferry Rangers is sponsored by the Swanky and held it’s player of the year awars there while the Tarbert senior GAA football team’s post-match meal is provided by the pub.
J.P. feels that “this support of local sports is important as it is our way of giving back.”
Looking to the future the couple are optimistic.
“Obviously, times are tough,” said Mary, “and it is hard to know what the future will bring but you have to be positive and try to make the best of it.”
J.P. agreed: “It is difficult at the moment but you have to remain upbeat and believe that things will get better.”
“I would be big into the coursing. I’ve owned a number of greyhounds down through the years and I think it’s nice to remember some of the very enjoyable days I have had in coursing by putting up pictures and trophies in the pub. Also, the name of the pub comes from the Swanky greyhound prefix which we own.” — J.P. Prendiville