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One of the great ladies of Cork’s hospitality and bar trade, Maura Hallinan from the KLM bar in the city, has sadly passed away after a long life that saw her reach her centenary two years ago.
Ms. Hallinan passed away peacefully at the family home attached to her beloved bar in Lower Glanmire earlier this week.
The KLM first opened its doors under the leadership of Maura and her late husband Denis (known to all as Ferdie) in 1968. It was named after the initials of the names of three of their four daughters, and no, like some in Cork . he thought, for the Dutch airline.
On her 100th birthday two years ago, Ireland’s oldest landlady said it was hard work and putting clients first which helped her live to be 100.
Born in Ballincollig in 1919, she celebrated her 100th birthday in style, spending her centennial reward from the President of Ireland at the Hayfield Manor Hotel with her family.
Maura had just stopped taking pints after her health began to decline from the long hours she spent behind the bar.
She told Neil Prendeville’s show around his 100th birthday: “I was having pints at Nana’s (a bar on Douglas Street that is run by Maura’s grandson) but more recently I had to withdraw because I find it difficult to move with my poor legs “.
The couple worked hard and finally began to reap the rewards, but sadly her husband died in 1977 leaving Maura and her family in charge of the business.
She said, “It’s a difficult life, we worked very hard, but in the end we got there.”
The pub was named after three of Maura’s daughters, Kathleen, Lydia and Mary, and it is Mary who has kept the bar going (despite the closure) after her mother’s retirement.
It remains one of Cork’s great pubs and many in the area will be looking forward to it reopening.
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