-
-
Author: Denise McNamara
~ 2 minutes read
A farmer and publican in southeast Galway has turned his country pub into a live music venue for leading artists in order to survive.
So far, Paul Noonan of Bell X1, Sean Keane, Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan from Stockton’s Wing have taken to the stage at the Cornerstone Bar in Gurteeny in sold out gigs that have brought a new vibrancy to the small community.
Garry Gorman, who has run the watering hole between Woodford and Portumna for the past 25 years, makes no apologies when he insists a pub is absolutely critical to the life of their village.
But skyrocketing running costs and fewer patrons mean it’s getting harder to justify keeping it open.
After being locked down during Covid, he reopened the pub but scaled back to four evenings a week. The adjoining shop which his mother Breda managed remained shut. The other village pub is also closed.
Garry used the time to renovate the inside of the pub and created an intimate room which could be used for gigs seating up to 80. Availing of the Government support scheme to help artists return to the live music scene, he staged concerts for the first time in the pub’s history.
And they were so successful he hopes to keep going without the State subsidy, even if it means he just breaks even.
This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see this week’s Connacht Tribune. You can support our journalism by buying a digital edition HERE.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Former Mayor of Galway City to run as candidate for Independent Ireland in Local Elections
Former Mayor of Galway City Noel Larkin has announced that he is to run in the local elections as...
Galway heritage projects to receive half a million euro in funding
Almost half a million euro is going toward 51 built heritage projects based throughout Galway. Th...
Report suggests that inward migration in Connemara could be of benefit to the region
A five-year plan for the mid Connemara region highlights an inwards movement of people as an adva...
East Galway Peatlands to be developed for tourism through Just Transition Fund
East Galway is to get funding to develop tourism in the area. The funding will be through the EU ...
Man arrested and charged following seizure of rifle in Turloughmore
A man has been arrested and charged following a search operation in County Galway yesterday. This...
Details of St Patrick’s Day parades around Galway
Today, St Patrick’s Day celebrations will take place throughout the city and county. While Gal...
Warning over measles danger after University Hospital Galway case
The Health Service Executive has declined to reveal if anybody else caught measles after being ex...
Students revolt over massive rental increase in Galway accommodation
Third-level students are rebelling against a massive hike in rent for purpose-built accommodation...
Man held after rifle and silencer seized in Turloughmore
A man in his 20s will appear before a special sitting of Galway District Court this evening, afte...