Against all the odds, the Hole in the Wall has been re-opened to the public as a wine bar and a stunningly intimate venue for musicians and theatrical escapades. The old house which was initially the inner section of an L-shaped mansion originally build by Martin Archer in 1582, has been lovingly restored to its former glory and today still looks as it might have looked in the 16th century.
After over a decade of TLC from current owner Michael Conway, the national monument, which has stood the test of time, dates back to the seventeenth century and to the era of the Restoration, Cromwellian times and the Williamites.
Today the little bar and upstairs venue is very much like as it was in the good ole days when it was said that royalty from Kilkenny Castle would come and drink in the tavern along with other historical characters such as literary great James Joyce and local clergy Bishop John Kearney (whom we have learned of late is related to President Barack Obama ).
With the structure of the building still intact — this venue is a little gem and a history-lover’s paradise. Owner Michael Conway is a Limerick man who moved to Kilkenny from Oxford to take up a post as a consultant cardiologist at St Luke’s Hospital, which is where he still is today.
Moonlighting as a bar man when the sun goes down, Michael loves both his day job and his night-time role as ‘master of the ‘ouse!’
“This was a rescue project at the end of the day. I bought the building in 1999 from the McDonnell family and little did I know at the time, but I had bought a national monument. It was completely derelict and was a protected structure, which required extremely expensive conservation and heritage work. I’ve put well over €1million into the building to bring it to where it is today.”
And for those who have already frequented the establishment one would see that most of that cash injection has gone into structural conservation work rather than aesthetics. The little wine bar has four bar-stools and after that it’s standing room for another... maybe... 10 people! It’s quirky and it’s cute, it’s full of historical memorabilia and most of all it plays host to some of Ireland’s top musicians.
The most recent gig to have taken place was Liam O’ Maonlai (formerly of the Hot House Flowers ) who played to an enthralled audience. The musician himself was mesmerised by the intimacy of the venue and the historical feelings that the venue evokes.
“Upstairs where we host live gigs, there is a 16th century oak floor that came from the Cotswolds, and some of the old furniture is Tudor-style, purchased from different antique markets from at home and abroad.
“The tapestry hanging on the wall was a real coup. I got that in Paris and I transported it back home. It has been re-done in places but it is practically intact. There are two stunning Elizabethan chairs which are used by musicians and actors and there are many surviving features, which are part of the structure of the old house including the heavy marble fire place, untouched examples of arrow-loop windows, medieval oak beams, original flagstone floors and thick walls built of uncoursed stone.”
So how does this intriguing little building live up to modern day standards with regards to hosting crowds, musicians and events?
“There is a great sound system in place and the natural acoustics are top class here. We have our lights set up and the stage is literally the little area in front of the fireplace in-between the two Tudor chests. It’s worked quite well so far and musicians seem to love it!” Michael says.
One of the things on Michael’s list of things to do with the Hole in the Wall is to try and nurture new local talent. And so far this has been going down a treat with audiences.
“There is no end to the amount of talent that walks through these doors. We have had some great sessions here and someone always calls for a guitar or an instrument of some description. There are some great singers and we really need to nurture and grow this if possible.
“Local singer/song-writer Stephen Reilly was the first of the debuts and he supported Liam O’ Maonlai last week. Imagine — it was Stephen’s first gig and he played support to one of our best known musical talents — it was a big night for him and he did extremely well — the audience loved him.”
Last year the Hole in the Wall hosted some of the Kilkenomics events and this year it will be used as a venue by the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival.
“I believe that it is the only venue sold out for the Cat Laughs - David O’ Doherty is playing here and apparently it’s a sell-out!”laughs Michael.
However, with all the conservation work that has taken place Michael has sunk a hell of a lot of cash into the project. What drives him to continue supporting what might appear to be a never-ending construction project?
“I don’ t know why I took it upon myself. Originally I hadn’t realised what a massive job it was and the work that needed to be carried out was so specialised and therefore so expensive. At this point I need to start paying back the bank! So I am hoping that it will take off. But it’s difficult to advertise this venue as we don’t want messers coming in here. There are historical costumes hanging on the walls that people can handle and take down and I don’t mind as long as people are careful and don’t damage anything. The bar is filled with antiques that anyone can touch and so we want people to come and respect what is here and appreciate it and not abuse it. I didn’t know where this project would lead me and here I am today. I love it and there is so much more we can do with it but it needs to start making some money now too.”
Michael has plans for a possible cafe bar which would be open during the day time, and also he is currently hosting a rendition of John Joyces’ ‘Finnegan’s Awake’ on a Thursday nights at 8pm.
“There is a lot going on here — we host Bloomsday because of our historical affiliation to James Joyce, we also host French Bastille day as we believe that French royalty would have drunk in this tavern in the 16th century and we have what looks like some of Napoleon’s costumes hanging on our walls! Alliance Francaise also meet here regularly for their events. My newest venture is Cajun music! I hope to begin a Cajun music band and we have begun meeting here already and getting some tunes together.
“We also have an alliance with the Blackbird Gallery and on the June bank holiday weekend they will be hosting Salon des Beaux Arts and they are seeking submissions of painting sculptures and photographs that fit the theme, ‘Kilkenny, a medieval beauty, sculpted by nature’ for exhibition.”
To date, Juliet Turner, Mick Hanly, Ronan O’ Snodaigh, Simon Fagan and Don Conroy have played in this quirky setting and imminent are Maria Doyle Kennedy who plays this Saturday night, Don Mescall is playing in May as is John Spillane. Local singer and creative artist Ashling de Cleir is a regular performer and teacher at the venue and anyone is welcome to start up a song in the bar with a glass of wine. Wine is on sale by the glass for a fiver or by the bottle for €20! If you want anything more (other than the odd tapas ) it’s not for you.
However, Michael has a host of regular visitors to the tavern at this stage. The Hole in the Wall however can be difficult to find and if the poster isn’t out on the archway wall, people have been known to never have made it!
For those who would like to check it out, take the archway next door to the Enable Ireland shop on High Street, walk to the top and take the right into a hole in the wall and this is where you will find Michael at your service. Be prepared for a chat and a laugh and if you can sing, there is an even bigger welcome for you on the mat.
Michael concluded, “this is a place where creative minds will come. Where talent will be discussed and nurtured and the building will survive as a model of what’s the right thing to do with a national gem of Elizabethan history.”
