Floods of Athboy to mark 80th anniversary with weekend of celebrations

The well-known Athboy hostelry, Floods, is celebrating its 80th anniversary in the family this year. Bridie and Jim Flood bought the premises at Main Street in 1938, and 80 years later the pub is still owned and managed by the Flood family.  Paul Flood, a grandson of Bridie and Jim currently runs the pub with some help from his parents, Seamus and Mary. 
Pub life, indeed life in general, has changed dramatically since 1938. Then, there was no draught beer, television, phone, ice or even a ladies' toilet. Bottling the beer was a laborious process, usually done by the children before and after school. The pub trade was supplemented by the sale of groceries (and later petrol) and pigs were kept in the back yard. Sharing the yard with the pigs was the men’s toilet which consisted of a white-washed cubicle and an open-air urinal which was probably just as well as there was no running water in it. Jeyes fluid and a bucket of water provided sanitation.
The Flood family have always been involved with their local community particularly with sports. Jim, Seamus and Paul have each had long playing careers with the local GAA clubs. The pub sponsoring and supporting countless GAA events during the past eighty years.  Jim and Bridie had a great interest in coursing and grey hounds and there are many stories about those days. 

Entertainment in the pub was provided by the patrons themselves and consisted of storytelling, music, singing and playing cards, rings and darts. The wireless provided sports coverage and on 25th September 1949 as the packed bar listened to Meath beating Cavan to win their first Sam Maguire, a message relayed from an upstairs bedroom in the pub announced the arrival of Seamus, known to older people as “half time Jimmy”. Meath won their last All Ireland on the day that Seamus reached fifty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
During the past eight decades the pub has evolved and changed many times and the comfortable bar of today would be unrecognisable to the early punters.  Women are now a very valued part of the clientele and no longer have to sit and sip a sherry discreetly in the snug. Nowadays they may have a pint of beer, enjoying the banter round the bar or sit with a friend by the fire sharing a bottle of wine. An array of gins and other spirits caters for other palates and moods.  An outside seated area offers the opportunity to relax watch the world go by.  Teas including organic herbal teas and coffees are also available. Designated drivers may have a complementary tea of coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Taking an active part of the local community has always been important to the Flood family and one of the very successful ventures is the monthly table quiz held on the first Thursday of every month with quiz master Bernard O’Byrne, to date over € 105000 has been raised, mostly for local groups.
The anniversary celebrations begin on Thursday 25th October at 4.30pm. when the family acknowledges the role of their more senior customers in the pub’s longevity.  From 4.30pm, older people and their friends are invited to an evening of memories and music.  Guests are invited to bring photos and stories to share and the pub will have a display of old photos too. A very enjoyable evening is promised. Part of the evening will include a remembrance of those who have departed this life. On Friday 26th from 9pm. the Friday Sing Song Sessions will be launched so if you have ever sung a song, played a tune or told a story please come along and join the fun, spectators are also welcome and there will be a prize for the best 1938 hair style and dress. A unique event recreating the mood of 1938. 
Festivities continue on Saturday night when MTR roadshow will provide the entertainment and on Sunday night there will be an eightieth birthday party with Brian Mullen playing country and western. Light refreshments will be served at all the events and there will be spot prizes galore. A trad session on Monday at 5pm will complete the celebrations.                                                                                                                                          
 The Flood family are proud to be part of the Athboy community and deeply appreciate the support received over the years.