A FORMER landlord of a landmark London pub is hoping to get the chance to become a new tourism representative for the county. Gerry O’Brien, who recently retired from running The Churchill Arms in Kensington after 32 years, has built up a huge wealth of contacts who now want to visit him. Currently residing in Ennis, the 66-year-old Ogonnelloe man said he would love to link up with groups such as Clare Tourism or East Clare Tourism and become their part-time tourism representative to take people from all over the world around visitor attractions in Clare. “I would love the opportunity to be able to showcase the county. I am hoping I will get the opportunity to do this. “I’d love to do something in tourism, promoting Clare to visitors from the UK and abroad. That would be an absolute dream come true for me,” he said. A Clare GAA hurling fanatic, Gerry said he would relish the opportunity to …
Read More »Churchill all decked out for Christmas
APART from the obvious name association with one of Britain’s most famous politicians, the Churchill Arms in Kensington has become a landmark pub due to its multi award-winning floral displays. The man responsible is green-fingered landlord, Gerry O’Brien, from Ogonnelloe, who pays great attention to detail in the distinct appearance of his London pub, both inside and out. Gerry’s dedication to running a good house is surpassed only by his passion for flowers. Throughout the year, he has tubs, pots and window-boxes, from the pavement to the roof top, full to overflowing in a blaze of colourful flowers. In summer, when the flowers at the Churchill Arms are at their best, it is a wonderful sight to behold and one which has earned Gerry numerous awards. His most recent is from a London licensing trade magazine, Time Out. In recent weeks, with the winter taking its toll on the displays, Gerry put Plan B into operation. With the flower containers …
Read More »Ogonnelloe publican on BBC2
A LONDON pub, run by an Ogonnelloe publican, will bloom in front of millions of viewers in the United Kingdom this Friday. Gerry O’Brien, who was inspired by the picturesque surroundings on the banks of Lough Derg to adorn his London pub with hundreds of flowers, appears on Gardeners’ World this Friday at 8.30pm. His parents, Helen and Rita O’Brien, were very proud of their orchard and the surroundings of their house, which seemed to have rubbed off on Gerry, judging by the extraordinary efforts he has gone to to set his Kensington pub apart from others in London. Gerry will provide a brief history of his upbringing in South-East Clare, as part of the background about how he brought his love of flowers and horticulture to his award-winning pub. BBC2 cameramen spent a day filming in Gerry’s pub last year and it is expected that most of Friday night’s show will centre on The Churchill Arms. Gardeners’ World is …
Read More »