‘Family man, businessman and absolute gentleman’: Limerick publican royalty passes away
'We will always remember the kindness and open-hearted soul that was Phil Flannery'
HEAVEN has got even better as Phil Flannery is now pulling his famous creamy pints in the clouds above, instead of in his Shannon and Denmark Street pubs.
Phil and the Flannery name is synonymous with the publican trade in Limerick for generations, starting all the way back in 1898.
He passed away peacefully at University Hospital Limerick, surrounded by his loving family, on Holy Thursday. Reposing at Griffin’s Funeral Home, John’s Gate, this Monday afternoon from 4pm to 6pm.
Funeral arriving at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Milford on Tuesday, for Requiem Mass at noon. Burial afterwards in Kilmurry Cemetery, Castletroy.
Countless tributes have been paid to Phil, who was aged in his nineties. The messages on rip.ie are from Limerick, all over Ireland and as far away as Australia.
Friends, customers and staff members speak as one about what a remarkable businessman, proud family man and absolute gentleman he was.
“From the moment you met Phil and Kathleen in their businesses in Denmark Street and Shannon Street, you were welcomed with open arms. We will always remember the kindness and open-hearted soul that was Phil Flannery. Wishing the family all the strength needed to be there for each other in these difficult days,” read one.
Others recall happy memories and “ballhops” over the counter with the man originally from Annacotty and later Castletroy.
One said: “He showed me how to fill my first pint and always guided me on the wisdom of life.”
In the book, Taprooms, Taverns & Alehouses: Limerick City Pubs, Phil shared wonderful stories with authors Will Banks and Dr Paul O’Brien.
He bought the Shannon Street pub on May 14, 1965.
“I put in the new Guinness dispensing system, the electric system rather than the pump, and it was a lovely creamy pint of stout, creamy all the way down the line. Before we opened, the Guinness boss approached my brother Michael to know would I give a demonstration of what I was doing.
“So, loads of bar staff came along and wanted to see what I was doing, it was the first time it was seen in Limerick even though it was in every pub in Dublin. They were a little wary, but it worked and people were amazed. The place was packed every night,” recalled Phil.
For the first year or so in his tenure a pint cost 1/6d. Phil and the Flannery family are part of Limerick’s social history and fabric.
“The women would be going down there and they'd call in and then the same at half time - back again. They were drinking large vodkas and brandies. There would be a rush at 9pm and you'd have to have the pints pulled for the men and give them out, it was unreal.
“For about 20 minutes at the break in the bingo, they'd all come running in the door and we'd know the regulars’ drinks, maybe a pint and small one, or two pints or two large ones - all the drinks would be on the counter. In twenty minutes, they'd all be gone back out the door, back to the bingo,” said Phil. They called it the “bingo break”.
Phil will be sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen, children Kay, Noelle, Philip and Paul, sons-in-law Eoin (O’Shea) and John (Donaghey), daughters-in-law Helen (Curtin) and Eilise (Mackey), his fourteen adored grandchildren Niall, Eoin, Kieran, Paul, Laura, Mark, Hazel, Philip, Sean, Jamie, Lily, Charlie, Ollie and Alex, brothers Michael, Patsy, Seamus and John, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and his many friends.
May he rest in peace.