A LEGEND of the Limerick hospitality community who led “a life well lived and enjoyed” was laid to rest this Tuesday (April 22).
The late Phil Flannery passed away peacefully at University Hospital Limerick surrounded by his family on Holy Thursday (April 17).
His is a name inseparable from the hospitality and publican industry in Limerick, having become a well-known and beloved figure behind the bar at his pubs on Shannon Street and Denmark Street in the city.
The Flannery name dates back to generations of publicans in Limerick City, as far as 1898.
Originally from Annacotty, he bought his famed Shannon Street pub in May 1965.
Mr Flannery, who was aged in his 90s, was laid to rest this Tuesday at Kilmurray Cemetery after funeral mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Milford.
Mourners from across the county, family, friends, colleagues, and patrons expressed heart-felt tributes across this week for the late publican.
One mourner, writing on obituary website RIP.ie, described the late publican as “such a fine gentleman, who touched the lives of many with his warm friendship”.
“We remember Phil from dropping in for a drink and he was always a polite and kind-hearted gentleman,” another wrote.
Others remembered Phil for his “memorable smile” and the “odd chat at lunch time” they would have at his Shannon Street pub.
Many mourners remembered the passion Phil had for his trade, which he passed down to generations of publicans in Limerick and beyond.
“He gave me great guidance when I was a younger man and I will always be grateful to him,” one person wrote.
Another described how they “worked for Phil in Shannon Street in the 1960s and I loved working for him. He showed me how to pull the perfect pint of Guinness. He showed me how to interact with customers and keep them smiling, and he showed me how to be a decent person”.
“A very humble and interesting man to talk to. I’ll always remember a chat we had in his Shannon Street bar where he shared his history about his business journey, and how he helped other members of his family become established. A remarkable business man, and an all-round nice guy. One of the good ones,” another admirer wrote in tribute.
Phil is deeply regretted by his wife Kathleen, beloved children Kay, Noelle, Philip, and Paul, sons and daughters-in-law Eoin, John, and Helen, his 14 grandchildren Niall, Eoin, Kieran, Paul, Laura, Mark, Hazel, Philip, Sean, Jamie, Lily, Charlie, Ollie, and Alex, brothers Michael, Patsy, Seamus, and John, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a wide network of friends, relatives, patrons, and admirers.
He was pre-deceased by his parents James and Kathleen, brothers Willie and Jerry, and sisters Breda and Anne.
