Mayo county town pub receives major facelift
By Tom Gillespie
CASTLEBAR’S renowned Bungalow Bar has been given a major facelift, transforming and enhancing the local streetscape.
Workmen have installed a completely new frontage on the Main Street premises which is run by the Scott family.
The owner of the bar, which is one of the oldest in the county town - Annie Cannon - had the work carried out by Carrabine Joinery from Sligo Road, Ballina.
John Scott and his Foxford-born wife, Órna, have leased the bar on Main Street from Mrs. Cannon, who for many years ran the pub with her son, Noel, and her late husband, Paddy.
John Scott is no stranger to the trade having worked as bar manager at the Castle Inn on Castle Street for over a quarter of a century.
The couple have just celebrated their second anniversary in the Bungalow - known locally as the Bungi - as well as their 25th wedding anniversary, which back in 1998, also created a piece of history.
When they were married on Sunday, August 2, 1998, they were the first couples to wed in Toomore Church in 44 years to the day.
The late Frank Egan, Swinford correspondent with The Connaught Telegraph at the time, wrote in the Swinford Notes: "The wedding bridged a gap of 44 years since the last wedding was solemnised in the church."
Monday, August 2, 1954, was the last occasion - prior to the Scott wedding - that a happy couple walked down the aisle.
Órna’s six sisters - Triona, Sinéad, Elaine, Aoife and Gráinne - were bridesmaids.
The groomsmen were Tom, Peter and Mark Scott (brothers of the groom), Ger Whyte, Noel Barrett and Thomas Ryan (brothers of the bride).
Órna’s late grandfather, Thomas Ryan, was one of the locals who helped build Toomore Church in 1954.
Speaking of taking over the Bungalow John said: “It was a big decision to make after the Covid pandemic and I had spent over 26 years working with Ger Whyte at the Castle Inn.
“The opportunity just came up and I decided to take a chance. I always liked the Bungalow as a pub.”
A native of Derryharriff, Castlebar, John was educated at Snugboro National school and Davitt College in Castlebar.
After completing his education he worked in the construction sector with Mountain View Securities for three or four years.
John said: “Marty Browne used to work in the Castle Inn. When he left I took over. I have made many friends there over the years. We would have the same clientele here in the Bungalow as in the Castle Inn.”
His wife, Órna, a qualified chef, quit the catering business to take up a role behind the Bungalow Bar.
She said: “After 30 years as a chef, it was a complete change for me. It was a big decision to take too. I thought at first that I might be able to continue as a chef for a while. But when this came up I had to make a decision.”
She was chef at the Meals-on-Wheels Social Services in Castlebar and prior to that at Mulroy’s for four-and-a-half years and in Bosh for 10 years and also at St. Anthony’s School.
A noted sports pub, the Scotts are continuing with that tradition with all the sports channels available for customers.
John added: “I really enjoy the bar business with the craic and the banter.”
Two of their children, Kevin and Alanna, have joined them in the business. Kevin has vast experience in the bar business having worked in Limerick and New York.
John added: “The new frontage has given a new lease of life to the Bungalow and the streetscape and has been much admired by our customers and the public alike.”
Do you have a story to tell about your business? If so, Tom Gillespie would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch at (087) 9680780 or gillespietom49@gmail.com.