For 40 years, there were two brothers in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland with notions of greatness

September 26, 2023

“For 40 years, there were two brothers in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland with notions of greatness.

My father went to England in 1940, working for 14 years and saving his money. He returned home and bought this bar and hotel in 1954. Dad changed the name to The Savoy Hotel, after the famous hotel in London, hoping to attract tourists. His brother also had a bar and built a few bedrooms, calling it a guest house. To be one better than my dad, he named his premises The Ritz.

This hotel and bar was called the Savoy for about 40 years. Dad cultivated me in his own devious way to carry on the hotel. I took it over and got fed up with people associating this with the London Savoy. We changed the name to Rathbaun, the name of the townland. Running a restaurant and bar is very enjoyable. I am trying to cultivate my daughter, but I’m not as good at it as my dad was.”

John and Tara

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