Shellbourn (Cork (Corcaigh))

www.shelbourne-bar.com/
THE new Shelbourne bar on MacCurtain Street, an amalgamation of the Siol Broin and its next door neighbour, Greg's, opened its doors for business on Tuesday last. The timing could not have been more
perfect, with the Jazz Festival guaranteeing a busy weekend for joint owners Philip Gillivan and Tim McCarthy.

The former owned the popular Siol Broin pub for the last four years, and with Tim, bought Greg's some twelve months ago. As Philip explains, "We decided that instead of having two small pubs together, we would amalgamate them together". In a mere seven weeks, work on marrying the two pubs has been completed, resulting in a stylish but traditional hostelry, with a four cornered bar at its centre. Indeed, much of the pub has been constructed and furnished with pieces of the Siol Broin, retaining the old bar, natural fireplace, pictures and flooring.

"We want to open it up to a bigger market, to expand and broaden our horizons," Philip explains, "but still try to keep the identity of the old Siol. I'm going to run the bar myself so well keep the traditional music sessions going, and keep the old nicotine wallpaper and even the pitch pine which is over 200 years old".

Regulars of the old Siol have nothing to fear, as the Shelbourne bears all the distinctive marks of the well loved venue, including retaining the staff. Amongst the changes, however, will be earlier opening and the serving of food during the day. The music policy will not be as raucous as it was previously, and a new,web site for the pub will be constructed.