Major snow damage to popular pub near Limerick/Cork border leaves owner 'distraught'

SNOW which caused significant damage to a well-known pub in a Limerick-Cork border town has been the source of heartache for the owners.

Geary’s Bar in Charleville is known locally as Goughs, as it is owned and run by sibling duo Corina and Claude Gough. 

Disaster struck when massive amounts of snow fell and damaged part of the beer garden at the back of the pub between January 6 and 7, causing untold distress and leaving owner Corina “distraught”.

READ ALSO: Limerick gardai clear path for elderly couple 'snowed in' at home

“We are distraught today and for the last few days,” Corina told Newstalk.

“I’ve never seen anything like what has fallen over the last few days. The roads are impassable, you can’t even walk on the footpaths. We’ve never had anything like this before.”

Corina Gough, pictured above talking to Henry McKean of Newstalk when he visited the town

Saying the damage to the pub is “extensive” and that the beer garden in the pub accounts for “70% of business”, Corina continued by saying they are “going to get it sorted” and that they “will be back up and running bigger and better than ever”. 

Popular with locals and Limerick people alike, Geary’s is frequented by many Limerick people living just over the boarder and is a destination pub for those organising hen and stag parties and other events. Many Limerick companies enjoyed Christmas drinks in the venue which is well-known for hosting live musical entertainment out the back.

In an update post to social media, Corina is hopeful Geary’s Bar will be back open and operating again this Thursday evening. She thanked all their customers for their continued support. 

The post reads: “We have been inundated with texts, calls, messages - you really have no idea how much your support means. We will hopefully be open Thursday evening. 

“Apologies for not putting up a post sooner but this has been a bitter pill to swallow, though there is always someone else worse off, so mind yourselves.”

In terms of how the land lies in Charleville now, social media posts say that conditions remain “extremely dangerous” in the Limerick-Cork border town. 

“The amount of snow that fell must be some sort of historic record for Charleville,” a statement from the Charleville Heritage Society on Facebook reads. 

“It is extremely quiet, as road conditions to commuter villages are extremely dangerous and people have listened to the advice not to travel. The councilmen are out trying to clear the footpaths of huge volumes of compacted snow. 

“Gutters are starting to take huge volumes of snow as it melts, some can't take the weight and are falling, so beware of this as you walk around town. Stay safe don't drive unless you have to.”