'It's Limerick's cheers: a place where everybody knows your name!'
Tears and memories as final pints poured at The Black Swan in Limerick city centre
IN WHAT is becoming a sadly all-too-common trend, the final pints have been pulled at a family pub in the city centre, sparking memories and emotions.
Tales of wedding receptions, St Patrick’s Day parties, and a first 'legal’ pint filled the air as regulars at The Black Swan in Davis Street popped in for one final pint.
Nuala Murray and PJ Quigley, the husband-and-wife team who have run the hostelry since the year 2000 have decided it's time for a change, Nuala hinting at “semi-retirement!”.
While the shutters at the pub officially fell on Monday, July 6, the doors were locked the following night as locals shared memories of a bar enjoyed by generations across the city and county.
It was standing room only as people travelled in from across the rural county to say farewell to the popular pub.
The Black Swan had been open as a pub in Davis Street for almost 100 years, initially being owned by Clare man Willie Ryan.
During his tenure, it was a great haunt of CIE workers.
The Kiely family acquired the pub in the 1970s, before it was purchased by its current owners at the turn of the century.
John Caldwell, who lives in the city centre, told me how the pub got its unique name.
"We used to call the old owner Michael Kiely ‘the swan’, or ‘Swanny’. That’s how it became known as The Black Swan,” he explained.
Neither PJ or Nuala are from Limerick – Nuala is from Louth, PJ is from the village of Hollyford, just across the Limerick-Tipperary border from Doon.
But they are as much part of the rich tapestry of Limerick pubs as any bar owner in the city now, their popularity on show by the number of people who turned out for The Black Swan's final hurrah.
"We know everyone from all walks of life, from all parts of the city. They've been very good to us, we couldn’t have asked for any more. We have made some very good friends. No doubt we will remain friends with a lot of them for a long time to come,” Nuala said.
It was a sentiment shared among most in the pub – many of whom stepped onto the other side of the bar to pour their own pint for the first time.
There were memories of 45s groups making The Black Swan their haunt, with other cards teams also dropping in.
Late night sing songs were also recalled.
Sandra Aherne from Janesboro said she is “devastated" the pub is closing, having enjoyed many nights there with her husband Dave, the pair following in the footsteps of their own parents.
"One memory I have was myself and Dave got married in 1992. We had our last memories from before we got married in here. And you’ll never believe. We got married in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, then had our reception in Costello’s Tavern. The one thing I do remember is Dave left Costello's and came over here to have his first pint as a married man! It was the funniest thing ever – his wife was waiting over in Costello’s for their first drink, and where was Dave? Inside in The Black Swan. But we are still together all these years later, and it’s been magical,” she smiled.
Their neighbour in Janesboro Adrian Payne was quick to correct everyone when they said he had been supping pints in The Black Swan for 42 years.
"It’s 44 actually,” he insisted. “The friends we have made here have been special. I couldn’t say a bad word about this place.”
Venturing into the smoking area, there was only one person to talk to, I was told.
It was John Caldwell, who I had checked in with earlier, who had told me the origins of The Black Swan’s name.
He enjoyed his wedding reception in the pub nine years ago to his wife Margaret, of Croom.
"She wanted it here – no hotel. This place is the heart and soul of everything. We are all in trouble now it’s gone. It’s not going to be easy,” John conceded.
"I remember I asked the old owner Michael Kiely for a Southern Comfort and a red lemonade. Kiely said to me – forget your red lemonade, drink it raw,” he laughed.
For 20-year old Kate Hanrahan from Fedamore, Ireland’s national holiday provided the basis for fond memories at The Black Swan.
"Since we have been three, or four years old, we have come here every single Paddy’s Day. We started as children colouring in the colouring books and playing in the corner to becoming adults and finally having our first legal drink here. It’s a place we have grown up in. We have experienced memories, parties, people we remember for life,” she said.
Her pal Shannan Daly, 19, from Dooradoyle added: “I had my communion, confirmation and 18th here. My favourite memory would be meeting everyone in this pub – and especially getting up and singing. Everyone is like a family to us!”
As last orders were called and customers gave PJ and Nuala a goodbye hug, it was noted that Davis Street no longer has any public houses.
The Haven closed in 2016, The Railway Hotel the year before.
Permission has been secured from council to change the pub into housing.
One regular despondently said: “Davis Street is finished now”.
Another drew a comparison between The Black Swan and that famous bar in Boston.
"This is Limerick’s Cheers really. It’s been a place where everybody knows your name,” he told the Leader as he finished his pint.