A POPULAR Iris pub have announced their shock closure after four decades in business – leaving customers heartbroken.
Blairs Inn in Cloghroe, Co Cork have announced they are set to close this weekend.
Blairs Inn was a family-owned, award-winning pub and restaurant near Blarney, Co Cork.
They won the Georgina Campbell’s Pub of the Year Award in 2013 and the Happy Place Award in 2021.
Anne and John Blair took over the award-winning pub in 1986, followed by their sons Duncan and Richard in 2005.
The owners wrote on Instagram: “Sadly Sunday the 3rd November will be the final day of this particular chapter of the story of the mighty little country pub.
“Here’s to the great days behind us and to the hopefully even better days ahead.
“Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support over the years. It’s been one hell of a ride.”
And a number of customers rushed to the comments after reading the sad news.
One said: “So sorry to hear this. [I] have great memories working in Blair’s many years ago!
“Wishing you lots of luck and success for the future.”
Another one said: “Truly sorry to hear this, I’ve been planning for the day I could come back and visit you there.
“I’ll just have to settle for reconnecting at the second best local pub.”
A third one said: “Best of luck for the next adventure, nothing but good memories when I think about the pub! Ye did well.”
Someone else wrote: “Best of luck, we had the most amazing evenings, great chats with the family, fabulous food, fires to warm the soul.
“Wishing you and your family all the best & an exciting future.”
The family who own Blair’s Inn in Blarney also acknowledge their phenomenal staff over the years, adding: “We have had a constant stream of fantastic young people through the place over the years.
“They are genuinely a credit to our community and it has been a pleasure to get to know and work with so many of them over the years.”
The owners also recognised their fantastic regulars and local clients for their support, especially through the “challenges of the last four and a half years.”
They added: “I hope you appreciate that we haven’t taken this decision lightly. We have simply given it our all.
“As for the future of this magical pub; well that’s a conversation for another time.
“Thank you all again sincerely from the bottom of our hearts.”
