Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Ciara Randles and Ciaran Murray from Kilfenora. Picture: Miki BarlokTHE Tankard, Kilfenora marked its 50th anniversary last Friday with a landmark celebration.
The O’Sullivan family welcomed over 400 guests to The Tankard for a night that was equal parts homecoming and relaunch – a complimentary BBQ on the Fenit seafront, live entertainment from Super Céilí and a community celebration that brought together five decades of loyal customers, staff, suppliers and friends.
It was the biggest night in the venue’s 50-year history. And, as the family said, ‘just the beginning’.
Continued below…
Jerry and Mary O’Sullivan, along with Jerry’s brother Eugie and his wife Margaret, took over a small bar and dancehall on the Fenit seafront in 1976.
Jerry and Mary’s family moved in, living in the staff quarters at the back of the building in Kilfenora, Fenit. There was a petrol station in the middle of the carpark.
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Adrian and Enda O’Sullivan from The Tankard. Picture: Miki BarlokTheir four sons, grew up cycling around the forecourt, filling tanks, pulling pints and peeling carrots in the kitchen before they were tall enough to see over the counter. Mary was regularly woken at 6am by customers knocking on the window for petrol and was still behind the bar at 1am.
The Tankard of 2026 looks very different to the one Jerry and Mary O’Sullivan opened in 1976. What began as a dancehall and bar became a restaurant in 1982. It has not stood still since.
Today the venue is run by three of Jerry and Mary’s sons. Enda and Adrian O’Sullivan are co-owners. Their brother Ian, who has been in the kitchen since he was twelve years old, starting with peeling carrots and wrapping baked potatoes in tinfoil — is head chef.
The offering has grown from toasted sandwiches and pints to a full casual dining and fine dining menu, a thriving bar, summer BBQs, outdoor pergola dining, bespoke weddings, wedding day-2 packages, pre-wedding celebrations, christenings, communions and private events. Scroll down for photos from the celebration…
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit were Rosie McGrath from Ballyvelly House and Kathryn Scroope from Tralee. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Michelle Kissane from Tralee and Caroline and Jon Scroope from Spa. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Claire Benner from Tralee and Julie McMahon from Cork. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Alana Maharaj and Deirdre Barry from Tralee. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Triona O’Connell from Kilfenora, Annemarie Ryle from Spa and Jenny Galvin from Barrow. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday 1were Juliette Rose and Riain Hallinan from Spa. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Aoileann De Hora from Spa and Julie McMahon from Cork. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Becky O’Connor and Aisling Powell from Tralee. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were John and Eimear Reen from Oyster Hall. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Ruairi and Bairbre Buckley from Kilfenora. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Eugene and Margaret O’Sullivan, Therese and Steven O’Sullivan and Susan O’Regan from Kilfenora. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Barbara Cosgrove and Aileen Clifford from Kilfenora. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Constance Creagh from Tralee, Darren and Niamh O’Sullivan from The Tankard. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Julianne Reen O’Sullivan from The Tankard, Gemma and John Moore from Kilfenora, Emily Reen from Tralee and Barbara Reen from Fenit. Picture: Miki Barlok
Pictured at The Tankard, Kilfenora, Fenit on Friday were Adrian, Gavin, Darren, Enda, Ian, Ogie, JJ and Charlie O’Sullivan from The Tankard. Picture: Miki Barlok
