The village pub where you’ll find live music, comedy, a €6 toastie and a mighty burger
Brought to you by Paddy Mac’s Coachford.
We love to see a small pub find its spark again.
Not so long ago, Paddy Mac’s on Main Street in Coachford was just a quiet village local — the kind of spot you might pass without a second thought. But since Aileen O’Donovan took it over in July, 2025, things have changed.
Now, there’s music. There’s comedy. There’s something happening most nights of the week. More importantly, there are people — coming together, staying longer, making a night of it.
In the heart of the Lee Valley, this pub has become more than just somewhere to have a drink. It’s become a proper community hub with a bi-weekly open mic where local musicians and singers meet up to jam. There’s a book club, board games, a smartphone quiz and music bingo every second week and a bingo night on Thursdays.
They even sponsor the local drama group, The Coachford Players, who put on shows in the bar.
Legendary scones and top-notch entertainment
Warm, cosy and genuinely welcoming, with an earthy, lived-in vibe — it’s the kind of place where you can settle in for a coffee and one of “Mammy’s scones” (they’re already getting a name for themselves), or linger over a very affordable lunch (they serve a lovely €6 toastie) without feeling rushed out the door. The coffee, by the way, is from Cork Coffee Roasters, so you’re in safe hands.
But it’s what’s happening around the place that’s really turned heads.
This pub has quietly become one of the most interesting small venues in the county, pulling in names like Paddy Casey, Mundy, John Spillane, Dave McSavage, Chris Kent and John Colleary — alongside a mix of up-and-coming acts and cult favourites. And the lineup rolling into 2026 is no joke either, with everything from comedy nights like the Hydro Comedy Club to gigs from George Murphy, The 4 Of Us, and more.
Outside, there’s even a gourmet food truck, The Drunken Sailor, set up at the back on weekend evenings, while the live space itself is backed by the Blarney Brewing Company.
And then there’s the other side of it — the bit that really makes it feel like a community hub. Crochet groups, Pilates, sewing classes, art meetups, a book club — the kind of things that bring people in during the day and keep the place ticking.
As if that wasn’t enough character to soak up, visitors will also encounter two rather special regulars of the furry variety.
“I have two dogs that basically work all day with me (they sleep all day because they are both old).” Aileen told Yay Cork.
“They are very popular with the staff and customers.”
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It’s not trying to be trendy, which is probably why it ends up feeling exactly that. A proper, affordable, creative space in the heart of the Lee Valley, where you can drop in for a quiet coffee or end up staying all night for a gig.
And these days, that’s a hard thing to come by.
Check out the full line-up of upcoming gigs and events at Paddy Mac’s, Coachford and book tickets on Eventbrite here. You’ll find the pub on Main Street, Coachford, Co Cork, P12T448.
