Post by Harry on Jun 1, 2007 6:58:21 GMT
Time may be called on symbolic bar
By Fiona Murray
BBC News Website
A bar which came to symbolise a community's resilience during the Northern Ireland Troubles is up for sale.
The Heights Bar in the village of Loughinisland, County Down, made world headlines following a UVF gun attack in 1994. Six men were killed.
The Heights Bar in Louginisland is up for sale
But the family-run pub has been at the heart of the local community for about two centuries and its sale will mark the end of an era.
Local people are keen to retain it as a licensed premises, but fear the building will be demolished.
Hugh O'Toole, who has been the pub landlord for three decades, said there had been a lot of interest in the premises, which is being sold along with 22 acres of land.
"A lot of the old customers have moved on now. New faces are appearing every day. Hopefully someone will buy it and... will keep it as a pub."
Although well known in the local area, the bar was catapulted into the media spotlight on 18 June 1994. Six Catholic men were shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries as they watched the Republic of Ireland play Italy in the World Cup.
Some nights you come in and it would be relatively quiet - others there is a spontaneous sing-song and the craic is mighty
Kevin Gordon
Customer
Despite the passing of time, the tragedy is, understandably, something that people in the village find very difficult to talk about.
Hugh said: "Occasionally it would crop up in conversation, but very rarely. People don't raise it very often. They are trying to (move on) they'll never forget."
Kevin Gordon, who has been a customer at the bar for the past 30 years, agreed it was a private matter.
"There may now and again be a private conversation between those who were involved, who saw it and who were survivors, but that's as far as it would go. It would never be publicly talked about."
The bar attracts people from all walks of life, and has been the base for charity fundraising, which has taken locals to different parts of the world.
It has also been the focus for many celebrations, not least marking the success of the local GAA team.
Mr O'Toole said part of the bar's charm was that much of its original character, including its first fireplace, has been preserved throughout the years.
"It was the first pub to have a television in Ulster, perhaps in all of Ireland, in 1950 or 52, "said Mr O'Toole.
Trading stories
Chairman of the community association Willie McNamara described it as a "genuine Irish pub".
He said it was the hub of a community which had already lost a shop and post office.
"It is not just a working man's pub. It is mixed in terms of religion, social class and that's what makes it the asset it is to the community," he said.
"It is where people trade stories and news, pick up information, do their deals, do their business.
"If you lost an asset like this place, you are going a long way to breaking up that community spirit."
Local people say O'Toole's is popular for its "simplicity, country atmosphere and a good pint".
"Some nights you come in and it would be relatively quiet - others there is a spontaneous sing-song and the craic is mighty," said Kevin Gordon.
"It would be an awful blow to this community if this pub were to go.
"If this pub were to go, there wouldn't be a country pub between Castlewellan and Annacloy. "
The pub landlord's future is uncertain, but does not want to see the bar knocked down.
"I will be sorry to see it go. I meet a lot of people," said Mr O'Toole.
"There are a lot of people I wouldn't see from one end of the year to the next, if it wasn't for this place."
By Fiona Murray
BBC News Website
A bar which came to symbolise a community's resilience during the Northern Ireland Troubles is up for sale.
The Heights Bar in the village of Loughinisland, County Down, made world headlines following a UVF gun attack in 1994. Six men were killed.
The Heights Bar in Louginisland is up for sale
But the family-run pub has been at the heart of the local community for about two centuries and its sale will mark the end of an era.
Local people are keen to retain it as a licensed premises, but fear the building will be demolished.
Hugh O'Toole, who has been the pub landlord for three decades, said there had been a lot of interest in the premises, which is being sold along with 22 acres of land.
"A lot of the old customers have moved on now. New faces are appearing every day. Hopefully someone will buy it and... will keep it as a pub."
Although well known in the local area, the bar was catapulted into the media spotlight on 18 June 1994. Six Catholic men were shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries as they watched the Republic of Ireland play Italy in the World Cup.
Some nights you come in and it would be relatively quiet - others there is a spontaneous sing-song and the craic is mighty
Kevin Gordon
Customer
Despite the passing of time, the tragedy is, understandably, something that people in the village find very difficult to talk about.
Hugh said: "Occasionally it would crop up in conversation, but very rarely. People don't raise it very often. They are trying to (move on) they'll never forget."
Kevin Gordon, who has been a customer at the bar for the past 30 years, agreed it was a private matter.
"There may now and again be a private conversation between those who were involved, who saw it and who were survivors, but that's as far as it would go. It would never be publicly talked about."
The bar attracts people from all walks of life, and has been the base for charity fundraising, which has taken locals to different parts of the world.
It has also been the focus for many celebrations, not least marking the success of the local GAA team.
Mr O'Toole said part of the bar's charm was that much of its original character, including its first fireplace, has been preserved throughout the years.
"It was the first pub to have a television in Ulster, perhaps in all of Ireland, in 1950 or 52, "said Mr O'Toole.
Trading stories
Chairman of the community association Willie McNamara described it as a "genuine Irish pub".
He said it was the hub of a community which had already lost a shop and post office.
"It is not just a working man's pub. It is mixed in terms of religion, social class and that's what makes it the asset it is to the community," he said.
"It is where people trade stories and news, pick up information, do their deals, do their business.
"If you lost an asset like this place, you are going a long way to breaking up that community spirit."
Local people say O'Toole's is popular for its "simplicity, country atmosphere and a good pint".
"Some nights you come in and it would be relatively quiet - others there is a spontaneous sing-song and the craic is mighty," said Kevin Gordon.
"It would be an awful blow to this community if this pub were to go.
"If this pub were to go, there wouldn't be a country pub between Castlewellan and Annacloy. "
The pub landlord's future is uncertain, but does not want to see the bar knocked down.
"I will be sorry to see it go. I meet a lot of people," said Mr O'Toole.
"There are a lot of people I wouldn't see from one end of the year to the next, if it wasn't for this place."