THE new proprietor of Considine’s Pub believes Parnell Street can undergo a resurgence which will see it become Ennis’s answer to the Left Bank – Paris’ famed area known for its historical, intellectual, and bohemian atmosphere.
Dermot Fetton’s journey into hospitality began as a glass collector in Dooley’s Hotel in Waterford, and most recently brought him to his “dream job” at Ashford Castle in County Mayo.
Opening his own business at Considine’s Bar on Parnell Street in Ennis, Dermot is now armed with more than just experience. He’s driven by a vision – not just for his pub but for the street where he’s based.
“This is my third business. The other two [the Cloister and Henry’s Bistro] were great and successful – one of them is still thriving actually – but I wanted something different and I wanted the town to have something different.”
Considine’s is offering a cosmopolitan twist to the traditional pub fare with the introduction of cocktails, a bespoke wine list, charcuterie and cheese boards. Despite the change in offering, Dermot never considered changing the name over the door. “It’s a wonderful name and it’s synonymous with Parnell Street and Ennis, and Ennis Rugby I understand. This building has been in the family for 200 years, it’s always been Considine’s. It wasn’t always a pub, it was a family home before that so I had no inclination to change the name to something else.
Dermot admits that he is “really focussing” on Parnell Street and its potential.
“This is the big thing in my head. There were 10-12 pubs here not so long ago. Now there was just one, Dylan in Lucas’s and now two with Considine’s. Then Ollie and his wife opened their café down the street and have seats outside and all of a sudden you see this energy on the street, the footfall here is incredible. There was an amount of people looking in the windows when we were doing the works and I was delighted, I had the blinds open that they knew something was going on.
“The potential on this street is fantastic and then it’s up to us to give the people something they’ll want to come out for.
“I like the sense of tradition on the street. I love the street, I love the buildings on the street, Ennis’ first pedestrianised street I think and unfortunately least successful in that regard so I’d be all for a resurgence down here. I’d encourage anybody to come down and look at the units available because the potential on this street is just remarkable.”
Dermot added, “This street could easily be the Left Bank of Ennis, it has the vibe, it has the pedestrianisation. In our first evening here I got some tables and chairs and put them outside and they were full all evening and when I walked up the street and looked down, it had a real European, café vibe. And I just said, ‘yeah, this is the way forward’. If you’re giving people that atmosphere, that you can go out on a nice evening and you could be anywhere and you’re happy to be out.”
