Stepping inside Osborne’s bar in Rathanna, Co Carlow, you could just as easily be in 1919 as 2019 as you drink in every detail, from the original bar, grocery, apothecary and drapery sections, to the vintage catalogue pages advertising everything from farm wear to tools.
And you can still buy a pair of wellies or a pound of jellies here, as well as your pint.
“This was one time the beating heart of the community,” says Eric Osborne, who, along with his wife Catherine, is on a mission to revive this rural pub and farm at the foot of Mount Leinster, while creating a unique tourist destination with their Storehouse self-catering accommodation.
Eric and Catherine Osborne pictured in the old farmyard that they are bringing back to life. \ Phill Doyle
While the pub in its present guise dates back to the mid-1800s, the Osborne family has tended the bar for a century.
“Only blow-ins,” jokes Eric of their 100-year history, which in many ways was defined by Marie Osborne (a second cousin of his father), who ran the bar into her early 80s after the death of her brother, Harry.
“She was here on her own with a big German Shepherd named Boxer for 20 years,” says Eric of his formidable relative, recalling one occasion where she was attacked in a break-in and ended up with 22 stitches; yet was back behind the bar the next day.
As a child, Eric would visit the pub with his father to help out Marie (a can of Coke and a Lion bar being the usual payment for services rendered) until she decided to close the doors in 2002; though the family kept the tradition of opening up for the annual Pattern Mass in August after she passed away.
London to Rathanna
By that stage, Eric had taken a very different path, training as an architect and going on to spend 14 years in the UK, where he worked for the renowned Sir Nicholas Grimshaw on high-tech projects, including the London Excel Centre, DLR train stations, airports and a maritime research building for the University of Southampton.
The Osborne family have tended the bar here since 1919. \ Phill Doyle
“So it was an experience that I would never have gotten here in Ireland,” he reflects.
“But when you’re living and working in London as a young architect, you’re working 60-70 hours a week and you don’t necessarily get to experience London, and rents over there, accommodation to buy over there, to settle, to have a family… so when the opportunity came to take on this challenge, I said I’d give it a go.”
While in London, Eric and a group of friends would often spend weekends hiking in the Brecon Beacons in Wales to escape the city, and he saw the potential to create something special in Rathanna and the wider Blackstairs and Barrow Valley region.
“This part of Carlow is a real hidden gem: it’s completely untouched, but yet it’s so close to everywhere. Like we’re 40 minutes from Wexford town, from Kilkenny city and Carlow town and only over the hill to Wicklow,” explains Eric, who made the move home in 2013.
But while family believed in his vision and his employers were supportive, allowing him to work as a consultant while he found his feet, he admits that many of his friends and colleagues thought he was “crazy”.
“[They] thought I’d be back in six months,” he laughs. (They also bought him a dog collar pre-engraved with the name ‘Ru’ after their local pub, to encourage him to get a canine companion so he would not be lonely.)
While the authenticity of Osborne’s bar was the star attraction, Eric knew he would need to do more to bring people to stay in the area and so focused his attention on transforming the old storehouse – once packed with diesel, petrol, paraffin, coal and hydraulic oil – to accommodation.
The bar and Storehouse has an attractive outdoor area for BBQs and summer socialising. \ Phill Doyle
Located just a 10-minute drive from Borris – a town that boasts two wedding venues – the most obvious route might have been to convert it to en-suite double rooms to cater for that market. Yet?
“We’d be full every weekend,” acknowledges Eric. “But there’d be nobody in the area, because they’d be gone into Borris for the weddings.”
That’s why he decided to go for a “bunkhouse” model, sleeping up to 12 people between two dorms and one en-suite double room, as well as a large living and dining space, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor BBQ area, secure storage for bikes and boards for water sports and drying room for hiking gear, all finished to Fáilte Ireland’s quality-assured “Welcome” standards, with prices from just €35 per person, per night.
“This is about a social gathering: a group of friends who want to come, who want to walk the mountain, who want to explore, but also want to spend time with each other and have a chat, in a relaxing environment,” says Eric, who has developed links with local companies like Dunroe Farm Catering for groups that want an evening meal, as well as activity providers, like Go With The Flow River Adventures, Blackstairs Eco Trails and the Glenn Lucas Woodturning Centre.
“We’re all working together and supporting each other.”
The Storehouse sleeps up to 12 people between two dorms and one en-suite double room, as well as a large living and dining space, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor BBQ area, secure storage for bikes and boards and drying room for hiking gear, all finished to Fáilte Ireland’s quality assured “Welcome” standards, with prices from just €35 per person per night. \ Phill Doyle
The entire project cost “the guts of a quarter of a million”, with LEADER funding about 60%, though Eric acknowledges that his architectural experience and his sister’s background in tourism did help when navigating the more challenging public procurement regulations.
Business aside, however, the Storehouse had another outcome; it was how Eric first met Catherine, whose brother-in-law was the engineer on the project.
“My brother-in-law had a birthday party and he said, ‘I’ve got a nice friend for you’,” smiles Catherine, a primary school teacher who also comes from a pub and farming background from Arles on the other side of Carlow.
“So when I saw Eric, ‘I said wow… schwing!’,” she laughs.
The Osbornes have now turned their attention to bringing the former suckler farm back to life. \ Phill Doyle
Though she admits that there may have been some initial tension with Ru the dog.
“We didn’t get along at the start… we were both fighting for Eric’s affection,” she jokes.
“You were both fighting for the couch,” retorts Eric.
Reviving the rural pub
Truce called, the couple – who married in 2017 – turned their attentions to reviving Osborne’s Bar, opening Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sundays from 2.30pm. While the Storehouse had involved major renovations, however, the charm of the pub was that so many of the original features had survived intact.
“We were lucky because in the 80s and 90s, pubs like this were being ripped apart and they were being modernised and putting lounges for music or what have you, but this place was just caught in a time warp,” says Eric.
Of course, running a rural pub in 2019 – no matter how unique it is – does not come without its challenges. Since the tightening of the drink-driving laws sales are down 20-30%; though the Osbornes have tried to counter this by introducing several non-alcoholic options, plus a high-end coffee. Night time transport is also an issue; for instance, there have been cases where customers have had to wait two hours for a taxi home, while trying to offer such a service themselves comes with insurance and security costs.
Stepping inside Osborne’s bar in Rathanna, Co Carlow, you could just as easily be in 1919 as 2019 as you drink in every detail, from the original bar, grocery, apothecary and drapery sections to the vintage catalogue pages advertising everything from farm wear to tools. \ Phill Doyle
However, the couple credit the support of the “positive, welcoming community” in Rathanna who have not just become customers, but friends; whether it’s joining them for a game of cards or chatting about farming.
Because as if reviving the bar and renovating the storehouse was not enough, the Osbornes have now turned their attention to bringing the former suckler farm back to life, clearing eight of the 30 acres to date, restoring the old yard and introducing a Shorthorn heifer in the hope of one day developing a pedigree herd, as well as bringing in lowland Charollais sheep; an apparently bold move in a region that traditionally favours highland sheep.
“The locals thought he was mad for bringing them in,” laughs Catherine.
“But they’ve adjusted,” quips Eric.
But despite the extra slog that comes with the farm, for Eric and Catherine, it also provides them with “balance” in their lives; especially as they both still work in their original professions.
“I think it gives us an escape,” says Eric. “It gives us our own space to go and explore and enjoy.”
And as Osbornes returns to being “the beating heart” of Rathanna, it feels like this couple have their finger on the pulse for the future.
“It’s been an immense journey so far,” says Eric, “but we’ve got a journey ahead of us that’s going to take most of our lives.”
“Please God,” smiles Catherine, as Eric concludes.
“Both of us are so happy to be giving it a go here.”
For further information, visit their website.
Stepping inside Osborne’s bar in Rathanna, Co Carlow, you could just as easily be in 1919 as 2019 as you drink in every detail, from the original bar, grocery, apothecary and drapery sections, to the vintage catalogue pages advertising everything from farm wear to tools.
And you can still buy a pair of wellies or a pound of jellies here, as well as your pint.
“This was one time the beating heart of the community,” says Eric Osborne, who, along with his wife Catherine, is on a mission to revive this rural pub and farm at the foot of Mount Leinster, while creating a unique tourist destination with their Storehouse self-catering accommodation.
Eric and Catherine Osborne pictured in the old farmyard that they are bringing back to life. \ Phill Doyle
While the pub in its present guise dates back to the mid-1800s, the Osborne family has tended the bar for a century.
“Only blow-ins,” jokes Eric of their 100-year history, which in many ways was defined by Marie Osborne (a second cousin of his father), who ran the bar into her early 80s after the death of her brother, Harry.
“She was here on her own with a big German Shepherd named Boxer for 20 years,” says Eric of his formidable relative, recalling one occasion where she was attacked in a break-in and ended up with 22 stitches; yet was back behind the bar the next day.
As a child, Eric would visit the pub with his father to help out Marie (a can of Coke and a Lion bar being the usual payment for services rendered) until she decided to close the doors in 2002; though the family kept the tradition of opening up for the annual Pattern Mass in August after she passed away.
London to Rathanna
By that stage, Eric had taken a very different path, training as an architect and going on to spend 14 years in the UK, where he worked for the renowned Sir Nicholas Grimshaw on high-tech projects, including the London Excel Centre, DLR train stations, airports and a maritime research building for the University of Southampton.
The Osborne family have tended the bar here since 1919. \ Phill Doyle
“So it was an experience that I would never have gotten here in Ireland,” he reflects.
“But when you’re living and working in London as a young architect, you’re working 60-70 hours a week and you don’t necessarily get to experience London, and rents over there, accommodation to buy over there, to settle, to have a family… so when the opportunity came to take on this challenge, I said I’d give it a go.”
While in London, Eric and a group of friends would often spend weekends hiking in the Brecon Beacons in Wales to escape the city, and he saw the potential to create something special in Rathanna and the wider Blackstairs and Barrow Valley region.
“This part of Carlow is a real hidden gem: it’s completely untouched, but yet it’s so close to everywhere. Like we’re 40 minutes from Wexford town, from Kilkenny city and Carlow town and only over the hill to Wicklow,” explains Eric, who made the move home in 2013.
But while family believed in his vision and his employers were supportive, allowing him to work as a consultant while he found his feet, he admits that many of his friends and colleagues thought he was “crazy”.
“[They] thought I’d be back in six months,” he laughs. (They also bought him a dog collar pre-engraved with the name ‘Ru’ after their local pub, to encourage him to get a canine companion so he would not be lonely.)
While the authenticity of Osborne’s bar was the star attraction, Eric knew he would need to do more to bring people to stay in the area and so focused his attention on transforming the old storehouse – once packed with diesel, petrol, paraffin, coal and hydraulic oil – to accommodation.
The bar and Storehouse has an attractive outdoor area for BBQs and summer socialising. \ Phill Doyle
Located just a 10-minute drive from Borris – a town that boasts two wedding venues – the most obvious route might have been to convert it to en-suite double rooms to cater for that market. Yet?
“We’d be full every weekend,” acknowledges Eric. “But there’d be nobody in the area, because they’d be gone into Borris for the weddings.”
That’s why he decided to go for a “bunkhouse” model, sleeping up to 12 people between two dorms and one en-suite double room, as well as a large living and dining space, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor BBQ area, secure storage for bikes and boards for water sports and drying room for hiking gear, all finished to Fáilte Ireland’s quality-assured “Welcome” standards, with prices from just €35 per person, per night.
“This is about a social gathering: a group of friends who want to come, who want to walk the mountain, who want to explore, but also want to spend time with each other and have a chat, in a relaxing environment,” says Eric, who has developed links with local companies like Dunroe Farm Catering for groups that want an evening meal, as well as activity providers, like Go With The Flow River Adventures, Blackstairs Eco Trails and the Glenn Lucas Woodturning Centre.
“We’re all working together and supporting each other.”
The Storehouse sleeps up to 12 people between two dorms and one en-suite double room, as well as a large living and dining space, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor BBQ area, secure storage for bikes and boards and drying room for hiking gear, all finished to Fáilte Ireland’s quality assured “Welcome” standards, with prices from just €35 per person per night. \ Phill Doyle
The entire project cost “the guts of a quarter of a million”, with LEADER funding about 60%, though Eric acknowledges that his architectural experience and his sister’s background in tourism did help when navigating the more challenging public procurement regulations.
Business aside, however, the Storehouse had another outcome; it was how Eric first met Catherine, whose brother-in-law was the engineer on the project.
“My brother-in-law had a birthday party and he said, ‘I’ve got a nice friend for you’,” smiles Catherine, a primary school teacher who also comes from a pub and farming background from Arles on the other side of Carlow.
“So when I saw Eric, ‘I said wow… schwing!’,” she laughs.
The Osbornes have now turned their attention to bringing the former suckler farm back to life. \ Phill Doyle
Though she admits that there may have been some initial tension with Ru the dog.
“We didn’t get along at the start… we were both fighting for Eric’s affection,” she jokes.
“You were both fighting for the couch,” retorts Eric.
Reviving the rural pub
Truce called, the couple – who married in 2017 – turned their attentions to reviving Osborne’s Bar, opening Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sundays from 2.30pm. While the Storehouse had involved major renovations, however, the charm of the pub was that so many of the original features had survived intact.
“We were lucky because in the 80s and 90s, pubs like this were being ripped apart and they were being modernised and putting lounges for music or what have you, but this place was just caught in a time warp,” says Eric.
Of course, running a rural pub in 2019 – no matter how unique it is – does not come without its challenges. Since the tightening of the drink-driving laws sales are down 20-30%; though the Osbornes have tried to counter this by introducing several non-alcoholic options, plus a high-end coffee. Night time transport is also an issue; for instance, there have been cases where customers have had to wait two hours for a taxi home, while trying to offer such a service themselves comes with insurance and security costs.
Stepping inside Osborne’s bar in Rathanna, Co Carlow, you could just as easily be in 1919 as 2019 as you drink in every detail, from the original bar, grocery, apothecary and drapery sections to the vintage catalogue pages advertising everything from farm wear to tools. \ Phill Doyle
However, the couple credit the support of the “positive, welcoming community” in Rathanna who have not just become customers, but friends; whether it’s joining them for a game of cards or chatting about farming.
Because as if reviving the bar and renovating the storehouse was not enough, the Osbornes have now turned their attention to bringing the former suckler farm back to life, clearing eight of the 30 acres to date, restoring the old yard and introducing a Shorthorn heifer in the hope of one day developing a pedigree herd, as well as bringing in lowland Charollais sheep; an apparently bold move in a region that traditionally favours highland sheep.
“The locals thought he was mad for bringing them in,” laughs Catherine.
“But they’ve adjusted,” quips Eric.
But despite the extra slog that comes with the farm, for Eric and Catherine, it also provides them with “balance” in their lives; especially as they both still work in their original professions.
“I think it gives us an escape,” says Eric. “It gives us our own space to go and explore and enjoy.”
And as Osbornes returns to being “the beating heart” of Rathanna, it feels like this couple have their finger on the pulse for the future.
“It’s been an immense journey so far,” says Eric, “but we’ve got a journey ahead of us that’s going to take most of our lives.”
“Please God,” smiles Catherine, as Eric concludes.
“Both of us are so happy to be giving it a go here.”
For further information, visit their website.
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