Limerick pub owner takes over as chairman of city Vintners Federation branch

THE OWNER of a popular pub on the city’s southside has become the new chair of the local branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI).

Eamonn O'Rahilly of The Spotted Dog pub in Janesboro has hailed a “new start” for the group which advocates for publicans in Limerick and nationwide.

He succeeds Robert Byrne of Bobby Byrne’s pub in the job.

“The focus is not on the VFI peer-se, but how the VFI interacts with all other aspects of how Limerick is going forward. This is a new start in terms of how we view the committee, our focus on Limerick city, and how we attract businesses here, and how we use ourselves as publicans to help provide a service and amenities to the people of Limerick and outside,” he said.

Mr O’Rahilly said he wants to see the city VFI branch work with the gardai, Limerick Chamber and the new night-time council advisor Ashlene Reyburn.

Eamonn joined the Spotted Dog as manager in 2009, working in Flannery’s at Wickham Street in the city centre before then. Prior to that, he worked in industry.

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In 2019, the chance came to buy The Spotted Dog.

He points out the role of pubs outside the immediate city centre differs from pubs in the urban area in some ways. “But overall, the issues are the same for most publicans.

In general, there’s the cost of running a business today, the focus on hiring staff, and how we are viewed across the city as an amenity,” he explained.

Eamonn hails from Ballysimon Road, growing up in a home called Eureka!

His father is from Thomondgate, his mum from Mungret Street in the city centre.