Matters of Pub-lic Interest

Glackin chipping in. Fred Rea had a hand in Songs of Ireland, and not to let Anzac Day go by without a tribute from the Irish Community, he also staged an online musical tribute, with special guests Gerry Gannon, Mary Ann Gannon, Tommy O’Brien and other guests who ‘popped in’ for a cuppa tea and a song.

facebook.com/irishclubofwa/

Happy feet! Finally, ending off with a dancing video we enjoyed: “Dance For Hope: Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance Dances WARLORDS at Home (FULL)”. Dancers isolated at home or in other real life lockdown situations, turn on the power of some flashy Irish dancing to provide a bit of light relief and enjoyment and a few hints about this Covid crazy period. The video is dedicated to all healthcare workers. Its well worth a watch, more than 400,000 others have already.

https://youtu.be/Z4RoVVp8JJw

Matters of PUB - LIC interest! BY LLOYD GORMAN

Coronavirus caused chaos and closure Pubs were amongst the first businesses in Western Australia and across the country to feel the full brunt of Coronavirus restrictions. Perth’s Irish pubs and the Irish Club in Subiaco were able to open for the Tuesday of St. Patrick’s Day, but there were a lot of jitters within the industry and amongst customers, which it is probably fair to say did have an impact on turnout on what would normally be their biggest trading day on the calendar. The mood was one of hoping for the best at a time of total uncertainty. As it happened, March 17 was sandwiched into a week of dizzying changes that tumbled every social norm and custom we know. Only the day before (Monday), the maximum number of people allowed to be in the same place was capped at 500 by the federal government. When we woke up on the Wednesday (no doubt some nursing a sore head or sick stomach from the previous days festivities), that was cut right back to a maximum of 100 people. Shortly after that crowds were to be no bigger than ten people and before long politicians and health bosses were telling us to keep to ourselves, stay at home, not to go out unless it was necessary and certainly not to go near other people, and if we had to have interaction, to practice social distancing at all times. The world looked very different at the end of that week than it had when it started on Monday, and the changes kept coming. One city Irish pub posted a Facebook message on March 20 that it was ‘business as usual’ and it’s doors were staying open and customers were invited to join them for a meal and drink. But for the health and safety of staff and punters the premises could only hold 100 patrons at the most. But 24 hours later the same establishment updated its social media site to say that due to the impact of COVID-19 the owners and management felt there was “no the reasonable choice for us other than to close our business immediately”. The closure was temporary and dependent on the advice from the relevant authorities they hoped to reopen when possible. It was the first venue to close its doors and soon the rest followed on March 23. Reopening their doors will be more of a marathon than a sprint that could take weeks or possibly months if indications from the federal and state governments are anything to go by. Unfortunately, pubs back in Ireland may face an even longer wait.

While some Irish bars remain closed, others have adapted the way they operate to keep trading as much as possible. Kitchens have become their engine rooms as food seems to one way they can keep going. Some have moved into take-away and order deliveries for hot meals, drinks and alcohol. It’s pub grub on the go. Hard working chefs and kitchen crews at Durty Nelly’s, Paddy Malones and Woodbridge Hotel are turning out menus and dishes that customers can order for pick up. Tasty meals are also available for pick up from The Galway Hooker, which has also found a way to give customers even more choice. The bar - which was only two months open when the pandemic hit - has opened a ‘shopfront’ on the premises, selling many Irish favourites and brands which no doubt will bring a bit of comfort in an unsettling time. Likewise Fibbers is selling alcohol and hot food for takeaway, as well as groceries such as dry aged steaks, sausages, mince, breads and fresh vegetables. McLoughlin’s Butchers is not in the pub game of course but they are another great example of how local Irish businesses in Perth are adapting to the situation. Anyone who has been there knows Paul McLoughlin’s shop in Malaga is about the best place around to get your Irish sausages, rashers and any other meat you’d care to eat, but it also stocks a large range of Irish snacks, foodstuffs, sauces and drinks. McLoughlin’s recently introduced taking orders over the phone from stay at home shoppers and is delivering to customers homes. Maybe when all this has settled down they might keep running this service. The Point Rooftop Bar & Grill isn’t offering meals but even in lockdown it is selling gift cards which of course can be used when its back in business. In fact, most pubs will probably offer something similar. Our pubs will need all the custom they can get on the other side of this crisis. Catering and creating in a crazy climate

Miss you like crazy! JB O’Reilly owner Paul North posted a message on Facebook on April 1 that no doubt sums up the feelings of a great number of us and applies to every Irish bar in Perth and across Australia. It involved a note which said “We need JB’s open soon. We’re all going crazy!”. “THANKYOU to our beautiful patrons,” he replied on Facebook. “This was left on the pub van yesterday and it seriously melted our hearts. As soon as we can we’ll be back. Love and miss you lots xoxo.” Irish Scene would like to second the sentiment expressed in the note. Because none of us have seen them in quite a while now, below is a selection of photos of friendly faces from our favourite watering holes, for whom this must be a difficult time. If you are looking for a laugh, google the “When the pubs finally reopen” comedy sketch by the Windup Merchantz!!!

Guinness take on self isolation As well as being world famous for its porter Guinness is also well known for its creative marketing campaigns. Over the years the drinks maker has had many iconic and outstanding advertisements in print and broadcast media. Some are more elaborate than others, but sometimes a simple die can be much more than the sum of its parts, as we think this Guinness image created especially for the Coronavirus pandemic goes to prove.