The Pub That Refused To Die, premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival last week, captures the true story of a village’s fight to save its last boozer.
It tells the remarkable, true story of 26 locals from Kilteely, Co Limerick, who banded together to save their local pub. Heineken stepped in to help the Kilteely public house with advice, training and support, and the company is now launching a new resource hub to help other prospective publicans keep their community hubs alive.
Last year, the Limerick village (population 214 ) was facing the closure of its only surviving pub, ‘Aherns’, after already seeing its shops, post office and other pubs shuttered. When long-time publican Noreen Ahern, nearing retirement and working close to 90 hours a week, could no longer keep the doors open, the village stood to lose its final social hub.
Rather than let that happen, 26 locals from all walks of life – including a barrister, dairy farmer, carpenter and gardener – took matters into their own hands. With no hospitality experience, they rallied together to buy, reopen and relaunch the newly-named ‘The Street Bar’ last summer.
The 10-minute short documentary is available on www.YouTube.ie . Search for The Pub That Refused To Die
