You are reading an Archived Article

• Click here for most recent articles

CANDY STORE JUST SO SWEET FOR THE LOCALS

We found a fantastic rapport between staff and customers

BRENNAN'S,THE CANDY, ST JOHN'S PARK,WATERFORD

PUB Spy ambled into a Waterford city pub with the unlikely name of The Candy, which reminded us of the Dickie Rock hit, The Candy Store.

We would later learn that the hostelry was, in fact, named after the veteran entertainer's famous song of the Sixties and we got a great kick out of supping porter from a pub with a very sweet sign over the door.

The boys had no intention of going 'From the Candy Store on the corner to the chapel on the hill' but they did decide to hit the pubs in the St John's Park area.

Now shortened to the name The Candy, it is as local as pubs come. But oddly enough the Commandos were not given the 'local' treatment when they filed into the busy establishment - there was no sign of the being put under the microscope and given the 'stranger in town' treatment.

Perhaps it was that the mainly male clientele were too busy drinking pints but somehow the lads managed to mingle quite quickly with the local heads, who turned out to be a rather jolly lot.

The man and woman behind the bar were quite friendly and welcoming, although they didn't have much time for chin wagging as there was a thirsty bunch in the premises and the chat was really good.

This is a four-in-one bar, with each section being controlled from the heart of the action by the two bartenders. There was a wonderfully warm atmosphere with everyone being called by his or her Christian name. In fact, the elder lemon remarked that what the boys had found was a community centre of sorts, where there was an excellent rapport between staff and customers.

The initial impression was that it was an excellently run premises. That proved to be bang on as the boys read the signage that reminded that children could not play on the pool table, that children would only be welcome until 7.30pm and that parents and guardians were obliged to keep kids under control.

Picture

An autographed Waterford hurling jersey is testament to the loyalty of a majority of the residents of St John's Park and particularly of the locals who still call it The Candy Store.

There is also a very interesting picture of The Candy Store soccer team that won the Pubs League in 1976.

It soon became obvious that there is give and take on both sides of the counter. Pints of Guinness are on offer at €3.50, while a pint of Beamish is available at €3.10. "The more we drink the more we save here," barked the young Commando.

For their part, the customers, a local lad explained, put their hearts and souls into charity events organised by the pub. The generous folk at The Candy have contributed almost €40,000 to local hospitals and hospices in recent years.

The Commandos were reluctant to leave, as they had found the locals to be the salt of- the-earth. But further inspections beckoned and they parted company with newfound friends.

A quick wee before leaving revealed spotlessly clean toilets. Ah yes, the community pub is alive and kicking in an area of Waterford
that plays host to many junior soccer games.

Back to Top of Page