The temporary closure of Fisherman’s Inn due to a powercut has given owner Sean Ward a glimpse of what retirement would be like – and he doesn’t like.
The owner of the thatched pub in Ballybrittas said “it was two lonely nights”.
The pub has been closed since the evening that Ex Hurricane Ophelia struck on Monday, with power going around 12 noon.
“The ESB has told me that power should be back around 10 o’clock tonight,” Mr Ward said.
“We had to close on health and safety grounds. We have emergency lighting, which lasts for about six hours,” he said.
Risk
While visiting a pub light by candlelight may be atmospheric, without the emergency lighting at exits, in toilets etc there is a risk to patrons.
Coolers are also not working so beverages on the premises are at room temperature at the moment.
There are also issues with public lights being out in the area.
“The area is in complete darkness,” said Mr Ward.
“We have candles and torches but if someone had an accident then we would have to take responsibility for that,” the pub owner said.
He said there was a “terrific atmosphere” in the pub on Monday when the lights initially went out, and the emergency lighting was still in operation.
There are now concerns over the condition of trees in the area.
“I would be worried about Friday morning,” Mr Ward said in relation to forecasts of the arrival of Storm Brian.
“We have trees at the back of the pub and I will have to consider if they have to be thinned out,” he said.
Some trees, which were over 100 years, came down in the wind.
Firewood
Mr Ward said there will be no shortage of firewood this winter and said there is a regular sound of chainsaws in operation around the area.
“I am in my mid to late seventies and I have never seen anything like this. I used to hear stories about the ‘big wind’ from my parents and grandparents. Stories about this will now be part of folklore,” Mr Ward said.
And retirement is definitely not on the cards any time soon.
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