Sad news last week in Coachford when it was announced that Breathnach’s Bar and Gala Foodstore was to close. According to the Coachford facebook page, “Mary announced tonight that they would be closing with immediate effect and that the future of the business lies elsewhere. This must have been a tough decision taken by Mary, Colm and their family. It’s a huge blow to the Cronin family and Tom Walshe to have to call it a day and it must also be a shattering day for all the staff, all who were locals and many who have worked there for a lot of years. In announcing the closure Mary who was obviously very upset said, “Times are changing, young people no longer drink in the village as much as they used to and the large out of town supermarkets are having a heavy toll on our business.” There are many aspects of this closure that are hard to take but what makes it very hard to understand is the huge effort Mary and Colm and their staff put into making the business progress and prosper. This business is an institution in Coachford. Families have shopped there for generations. Fathers and sons have drank in the bar separately and together. It has been the home for the Bridge club, drama,GAA cycling club, Gun club and many other organisations and groups. It has a rich history and heritage within the village and many people will not shop or drink anywhere else.And now it’s closed. for good? who knows. I certainly hope not. I hope that it remains as a shop and a bar but whoever takes it over must and has to get the support of the locals. For far too long we have all neglected the business community in Coachford. All of us claim that we support them in some way but that is hardly good enough. This is the second bar in Coachford that has closed in 18 months, We continue to celebrate our stags, hens, and major Birthdays in other towns and cities in Ireland and abroad, I’ve yet to see a group of people coming from Killarney or Edinburgh to celebrate their stag in Coachford. Our young people drink at home first before travelling to Cork or Ballincollig for a night out. The supermarkets and discount stores fight each other for our custom while leaving the local shops picking up the pieces. This must stop. IF WE DON’T USE THE VILLAGE WE’LL LOSE THE VILLAGE. Our schools and local services must thrive if the village is to remain as vibrant as it is. We must support those who are trading in the village. We need more houses if we are to keep the schools open and the Garda station and Post Office relevant.We must get our water and sewage problem sorted if we have any chance of growing the village . All of us must chase the politicians and Irish Water to sort out this situation. Tonight though our hearts .and thoughts lie with the Cronin family who have had shut up shop after many years of serving the community. Let this be the last time that we see a Coachford business having to close its doors. We all have a part to play in keeping our village alive. We wish Mary, Colm and all the staff the very best for the future and thank them all for what they have given each and every one of us over the years.”
