Sporting greats have a blast at Cork’s new landmark pub.

Dec. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Leading the pack was rugby pundit Brent Pope, a great pal of Paul & Margaret Montgomery, owners of the atmospheric pub. Brent regaled the audience with humorous stories and drew in other sporting guests which included hurlers Sean Og O’Hailpin, Donal Og Cusack, Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Gardiner and Tom Kenny. Not to be outdone, footballers led by Conor Counihan, included Graham Canty, Noel O’Leary, Fiachra Lynch, Eoin Cadogan and dual star Nicholas Murphy joined in the fray, challenging their counterparts with good humour and interesting anecdotes on their sporting lives.

Rugbyites Mick Galwey and Alan Quinlan didn’t let the GAA boys away with much as friendly banter had guests in stitches. Members of the media joined in and some serious discussion carried on well into the evening.

Local businesspeople, suppliers and supporters of the Montgomery family were very much in evidence and guests included John Mullins (President of Cork Chamber), members of the RTE Nationwide team, Paschal Scott (of Killinaskully fame), Catherine Tiernan of o2 and Damien O’Mahony of Cork City Council.

Paul and Margaret introduced General Manager Ger Hennessy and their team at The Oliver Plunkett, including Managers Chris Weldon and Steve Gurney, and Music Co-Coordinator (and well-known singer songwriter) Nicole Maguire, who is currently busy booking Ireland’s best bands, from soul to jazz to trad and swing. ‘We have Hermitage Green, an all-acoustic band, booked to appear shortly, and two of the lads are ex Munster rugby players – Felix Jones and Barry Murphy – so there’s great interest in them. We’ll have bands most nights, and are determined to appeal to a wide audience of music lovers. People can expect to pop in any evening or night and be assured of good music they can relate to. We’re claiming to be ‘the pub where everyone knows your name!’ Nicole told us.

The cosy pub, located in the heart of the city, plans to bring back the familiarity, the social network, and re-create an urban escape (of a different kind) by day, with soft lighting and an atmosphere conducive to ‘chill and chat’. Add good food, and the best of wines and beers from all over the world and you have all the makings of a landmark pub.

By night, however, there’s an eclectic line-up of music most nights, to include trad, jazz, swing and soul, the pub is pitched to appeal to all-comers, with no cover charge. Owner Paul Montgomery told us; ‘Our research has shown that the home market and visitors want to revert a little into the old ways, soak up the atmosphere of a place, hear good music, have good food and mix with the locals. It’s back to real craic, real people and great music. With bands such as Hermitage Green, Soul Driven and The Lee Sessions (Cork City Council’s new initiative to encourage all things Irish) we’re committed to building The Oliver Plunkett as a landmark music pub in the city, a local for all people to enjoy. Also, it’s part of our ethos to encourage musical talent through our open mic sessions and we welcome musicians to join us and create a real music hub for all to enjoy.’

An impressive multi-storey building at a corner mid-way on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, the welcoming rich autumnal colours and luxurious heavy draping in the pub are instantly comforting and welcoming. The bandstand by the entrance facilitates close interaction with the audience as they relax with a pint of plain at the long bar. Dark wood ceilings and low lighting add to the intimacy of the place, with cosy seating configurations to make one want to take a leath lá!

‘Frequented by local businesspeople, shoppers laden with bags from the nearby Brown Thomas, musicians on a mission, ladies who lunch and sportspeople conducting post-mortems on games or planning future rugby and GAA training needs, you could rub shoulders with anyone here! Margaret and I and the team at The Oliver Plunkett are really looking forward to a Christmas season of good music and great camaraderie!’ Montgomery said.

Plans to cater to sports fanatics are well underway also with an upstairs area named ‘The Arena’ being kitted out to show big matches such as the Heineken Cup and some Champions League matches will be shown regularly.

Towards the back of the bar the broad wooden back-lit stair case leads up to another bar area which is immediately an intimate space, complete with dance area and a risen private area for that ‘exclusive’ post-theatre reception. This floor can be reserved for a la carte private parties and celebrations, or corporate functions.

Finally, the smoking area is almost too luxurious – complete with fireplace, and with all the hall marks of a sun room! Undoubtedly, the owners have cottoned on to the new way of meeting people – in the smoking area!

A pint of plain, a mojito, a sav blanc, or whatever you’re having yourself – The Oliver Plunkett mixing with the locals whether businesspeople, sportspeople or people out for a quiet pint, a bite to eat and a chat – all the ingredients are there to make this pub a local with attitude.

Find The Oliver Plunkett on www.theoliverplunkett.com.