TWO best friends have taken on a long-standing Irish bar to bring it back to the heart of the community in Coventry ahead of its 50th anniversary.
Pals Martin Ryan and Alex Ceairns have taken over the Four Provinces pub – known locally as the ‘Four P’s’, a venue long considered to be within the heartland of Coventry’s Irish community.
Both men were born in the city, raised among the community and frequented the family-friendly venue, based in Chapelfields, in their youth.
They also pulled pints there as teenagers, while working for previous owner Kieran Connolly.
But now the friends, who will keep their day jobs, are hoping to bring the bar back to glory and to its Irish roots.
Martin, 27, who works as a maintenance fitter at Coventry’s University Hospital, explained: “Chapelfields in Coventry has always had a large Irish Community and we remember the days when the Four P's was at the heart of this.”
He added: “With Coundon just down the road, which some refer to as County Coundon, it would be great to get the place back to where it belongs, at the heart of the Irish Community.”
Alex, 28, who works as a press setter, added: “We both learnt our trade when Kieran Connolly was in charge of the place and it was a really successful pub. We want it to have that vibe again.”
The pair, who officially reopened The Four Provinces on Saturday, June 21, already have Irish dance lessons on offer in the pub’s function room and sell a range of Irish products behind the bar.
They further plan to connect with the local GAA community and tap into the Irish music scene.
With the pub first opening in 1965 they are also gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year in style.
