Legendary Mayo pub is back in Staunton family ownership

AFTER almost half a century the legendary Punch Bowl public house in Ballyheane village, outside Castlebar, is back in the Staunton family.

Back in 1976 Walter, a native of Ballyheane, and his wife Ann Staunton, from Co. Cork, returned from England and purchased the small country pub known as Costello’s.

And just recently, Lawrence Staunton, their son, and his wife Clare from Carnacon purchased the thriving business from Bill Murrihy.

Clare Staunton said: “We have been here for seven-and-a-half years and it has always been our dream to own the premises. It has been our goal all along, particularly with the family history at the Punch Bowl. It is what we have worked for over the past 7½ years.

“Walter and Ann Staunton, Lawrence’s parents, had returned from England and bought the premises in 1976 and on April 14 of the following year they had their grand opening with Shaskeen in cabaret, and now almost 50 years later the Punch is back in the Staunton family.”

She continued: "Originally this was a small little country pub known as Costello’s and when Walter and Ann bought it they renovated the pub, built on the lounge and also renovated the living quarters and they resided here for 10 years where they had their four children.

“Now that we are the new owners we have great plans which we will introduce bit by bit.

“We are always carrying out improvements as we go along and we have given the lounge a face lift.”

The Stauntons cater for a lot of parties - anniversaries, christenings and funerals, etcetera, for which they bring in caterers.

During the Christmas there will be seasonal music at the Punch Bowl - on St. Stephen’s evening they have Mylo and Vinny Kelly on stage and on New Year’s Eve they have a DJ.

Nichola Barrett from Belcarra, who Clare described as their ‘go-to woman’, is one of the wholetime staff who, along with three or four casual staff, back up the new owners.

Clare continued: “We are so lucky to receive great support from the locals in Ballyheane. We would not be here without them and the pub brings a bit of life to the village.

“We found that following Covid people like to come out and have a chat. There are a lot of people living alone who come in and stay a few hours in the cosy bar.”

Lawrence added: "We have our own pool competition for the Walter Staunton memorial cup and shield, which is running at the moment, and we are also involved with two teams in the town league.

“We are delighted to be the new owners and we have a few ideas for improvements. We want to create an outside area where customers can enjoy a drink during the summer months.”

The Stauntons are busy organising the Ballyheane Goes Country - the Big White Barn Dance festival, which will be staged at the Punch Bowl on June 7 to 9 next year with headline acts Michael English, Derek Ryan and The Whistling Donkeys.

Tickets, priced at €25 for Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, and €30 on Sunday, June 9, are now on sale on Ballyheanegoescountry.com.