the Sinking Pub in Ireland
The 19th hole in Ireland is different and can be quite distant from golf course grounds. After playing the outstanding Island Golf Club links course and the leisurely parkland O’Meara course at Carton House in Dublin, it was time to enjoy the Guinness—and maybe several. This pleasurable extension of your golf round is even more profound when chatting about the flubs and brilliant shots while indulging in the black stuff.
I was part of the contingent of golf tour operators attending the 2015 Golf Ireland Convention. Dublin East Coast Golf Alliance, IAGTO and Failte Ireland had been tremendous hosts. The bus ride from the hotel to the pub was to be an Irish 15 minutes. To those in the know this statement can be translated into double the time. But the Irish charm and the twinkle in their eyes when they tell you this somehow subdues your snappy comeback and invokes a smile. Because you know that the end game is craic, music, Guinness and maybe a delicious Irish stew. This can be a terrific and unsurpassable combination.
Our group arrived at 19th century Roches found in Donadea, Country Kildare outside of Dublin. This is a great looking traditional pub on the outside and one that is terrific inside (http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/famed-sinking-pub-gets-a-lift-with-new-owner-26607892.html) We passed the jovial locals who were already crouched over their pints and chatting with their good pals. Irish music was already in full swing in the other room and the solo musician beautifully played song after song as though he knew the whole catalogue by heart. The small rooms looked like they would not be able to hold the large group. But this would not be the case.
Knowing that a position by the bar would be cherished, I grabbed one of the few stools. I learned from quickly speaking with Eugene, the owner of the pub, that this was the place where the 2006 American Ryder Cup golf team came for some pints and team comradeship before being thumped by the Europeans at the nearby K Club. And what might be more intriguing is that Roches is a sinking pub sitting next to the Derryvarogue bog. Fun to think that as I drank more Guinness that night I would be closer to Irish earth without moving my butt.
Sometimes you sense the pulse early if people want to leave a place after a couple of hours. But I don’t know if this is possible when you are in a traditional Irish pub. Such music transports you into a world of happiness, dreams and fun. The Irish stew on bread came after having some tasty appetizers. This is a special treat to experience following a great round of golf.
Then my new found English friend felt he needed to add his own repertoire. Bill graciously borrowed the microphone from the game musician and gave splendid renditions of different songs, including the Irish rugby team and the French anthem. His diverse choices were a welcome complement to traditional Irish music and elevated the spirit of the attendees. More Guinness pints were hoisted, even from individuals who normally don’t drink the beverage back home. The beer acts as a great connector among friends and strangers. What a fantastic 19th hole night!
As we exited the uneven pub now drifting closer to the bog and one hour later than originally planned, I did not see any bored eyes but several glassy ones. Many could have stayed for just one more pint of Guinness and clung onto the belief that this could be accomplished. Some tried sneaking Guinness glasses on the bus to extend the 19th hole. I was able to acquire a plastic cup full of the fantastic beer so I was well stocked. 15 minutes later we were back at Carton House. Or, I thought it only took an Irish 15 minutes. Wonder what made me think this was the case…