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It's sad times for Northsiders as a landmark Cork pub is finally shutting down after 150 years of pouring pints at the heart of the community.
Staff at The Cotton Ball Bar and Brewery in Mayfield will be taking last orders tomorrow evening before closing their doors for good. They are expecting a big crowd tonight, but tomorrow (Sunday) will be more of a regulars and friends occasion as the owners and staff savour the final hours of a pub that has always been famous for its warmth, music, and craic.
The Cotton Ball was founded by Humphrey J. Lynch in 1874 and it has remained in the hands of the Lynch family ever since - but now, its owners are saying goodbye as they step into retirement.
There are hopes that the pub and brewery business - which are both up for sale - will continue in new hands and keep the name and the tradition alive.
The pub hit the market earlier this year for €950k when the owners first announced they were stepping down. The property, put up for sale with Sherry FitzGerald, expands to an impressive 12,884 sq ft with two main bar areas, store rooms, a commercial kitchen, offices, and a raised smoking area off the main bar.
The move comes at a very challenging time for pubs and all Irish craft breweries, who - like many - have been feeling the sting of the cost of living crisis. The country has already lost a number of high-profile breweries in recent months, like the closure of the Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company and the much-loved Black Donkey in Roscommon.
And things aren't likely to get better soon, as these businesses also face another challenge in October over an expected 9.8% price hike in water charges.
Hearing news of The Cotton Ball's closure, locals have shared fond memories of the location online, saying it will be dearly missed but wishing the owners all the best in their retirement.
One person said: "A lifetime of memories spent in the cotton ball... we will never forget friend and family gatherings for all occasions ... We are really going to miss it so much, our local, the fantastic staff we have developed a lovely relationship with we will miss you all. Thanks for always looking after us and we wish you all the very best of luck. It's the end of an era!!!"
Another wrote: "So many memories of times spent in the cotton ball with friends and family. Many of whom are no longer with us."
Two more added: "Going to miss the laughs and the craic up there," and "It will sadly missed a lot of happy memories there."
The historic location hit the market earlier this year for €950k when the owners first announced they were stepping down. The property, put up for sale with Sherry FitzGerald, expands to an impressive 12,884 sq ft with two main bar areas, store rooms, a commercial kitchen, offices, and a raised smoking area off the main bar.
It also has an office/store at the first-floor level and the basement comprises of keg stores, a spirit store, a cold store, and a hoist area serving the bar above.
The 12-barrel brew room has six 2000-litre conical cyclo-cylindrical conditioning tanks and two 2000-litre bright beer tanks.
The selling agent Amanda Isherwood said it is a property with huge potential, given its size and location. The surrounding neighbourhood is experiencing a "boom of new home developments which will deliver over 1,200 houses over the next 3 to 5 years."