Author Archives: Mike Napier

The three lads were seated in their usual location at the bar counter in Donleavy’s. The atmosphere was calm and casual. There was a quiet hum of voices in the pub. That was as loud as it ever got in Donleavy’s. Not a decibel higher. Donleavy was never going to allow piped music or TVsContinue reading “BLIND FAITH”

JP, Rasher and Mono were comfortably installed on their stools at Donleavy’s. Three creamy pints settling nicely in front of them. Their stools were separated from each other just a tad extra than how they normally would have been arranged. I mean to say – the lads had to make sure that they gave offContinue reading “ANYONE NOTICED THAT IT’S A PANDEMIC?”

It was getting a bit déjà vu in Donleavy’s pub. Another one of those restriction moves to combat the ‘Rona Virus. Donleavy had continued to serve illicit pints to his chosen customers all the way through the pandemic and this restriction – nearly two years later – sure as hell wasn’t going to change anything.Continue reading “WHAT’S IN A NAME?”

It was a momentous day in Donleavy’s pub. Another one of those iconic days that one would write into the history of this wonderful establishment. Donleavy had continued to serve illicit pints to his chosen customers all the way through the pandemic. Didn’t matter what Greek letter they were putting in front of the nastyContinue reading “PEOPLE POWER”

JP, Mono and Rasher were again to be found in the back yard of Donleavy’s pub seated in garden chairs around massive electrical cable drums acting as tables. Three creamy pints settled in front of them. Donleavy waltzed through the various cable drums dispensing good humour and pints in equal measure. He was like aContinue reading “A BAR OF SOAP”

JP, Mono and Rasher were seated in garden chairs around massive electrical cable drums acting as tables in the back yard of Donleavy’s pub. Mid-afternoon June 7th. Three creamy pints settled in traditional fashion with a halo of white looking majestic against the black darkness of the body. They each licked their lips.               “WellContinue reading “SOME ADDITIONAL GOOD STUFF”

JP took another generous gulp of his pint as he admired himself in the mirror behind the bar counter. His trusty lieutenants – Rasher and Mono – imbibed in synchronous fashion. This was how it was, and this was how it had always been. There was a telepathic avenue between the drinking amigos that resultedContinue reading “Mellowed Expectations”

JP nursed the end of his pint and looked up and down the length of the bar counter. Flanked by his trusty lieutenants – Rasher and Mono – it could have been any other Thursday night in Donleavy’s pub. Except it wasn’t. This was an illegal gathering in the middle of Covid-19 lockdown. And ‘gathering’Continue reading “Hard to find a Role Model”

JP was in pensive mood as he stared at the Donleavy’s whiskey section behind the bar. He continuously wondered why Donleavy stocked some of these brands of spirits. And where did he even get them? Like – who would be coming into Donleavy’s and saying…‘I’ll have a pint of plain and a Stronachie 10-year-old chaser’.Continue reading “Won’t end up looking good.”

JP, Rasher and Mono watched as Donleavy moved up and down behind the bar counter. He seemed to be moving like a punch-drunk boxer unaware of his purpose. They were concerned for their bar owner, barman and dare they say it – friend. He had illegally kept Donleavy’s bar ‘open’ to his select customers throughContinue reading “Donleavy’s – a very unique experience”