Coffee and chats at Fika 33

Best Emerging New Business

Tomás O’Reilly set up café, Fika 33, in Killeshandra after realising the need for such a facility. The premises consists of the café on one side and a pub - the Shamrock Inn - on the other. The premises is a former B&B that Tomás’s parents ran for a long number of years until their retirement 14 years ago.

The pub was leased for a couple of years but then closed until July 2022 when he opened the cafe in the old lounge area and, on March 16 last, the pub was also reopened. The business also offers self-catering accommodation.

“The reason why we reopened our premises is that we were sad at how Killeshandra had lost so many important businesses over the last 10 years and how quiet the area had become,” explained Tomás.

“Killeshandra has a lot to offer in terms of lakes and walks and we wanted to provide a place where people could meet up for coffee, food and some drinks.”

And, it’s very much a family team effort at the newly established Main Street business. Tomas’s sisters run the pub and he and his wife focus on the café.

“We try to use all local produce as we believe it’s so important to support local businesses like ourselves,” he continued.

“We also try and offer jobs to as many locals as we can. Overall, we are trying to offer a service to the people of Killeshandra and surrounding areas and make it a place that everyone enjoys calling in to.

“I think after Covid-19 and the subsequent restrictions, people now realise how important it is to meet other people and have some fun and entertainment. We are proud of the business so far, although we still have a huge amount to improve on.

“Reopening the family business after so many years and seeing friends and customers returning makes you feel proud of what can be achieved through hard work, determination and vision. Seeing people from other areas travel over to us to sample the food after a walk or cycle, or to meet up with friends, etc is very pleasing.”

Meanwhile, Tomás says the best business advice he was given was to speak to those running similar type enterprises.

“There are some great business people around and I am very thankful to them for their advice since we first opened,” he said.

“It can be very stressful and being able to ask to others can help ease any concerns or worries.”

And the future looks bright for this shiny new local business despite the many challenges that lie ahead.

“We have a number of ideas about what we would like to achieve in the next two or three years and these would provide a better service to everyone who comes into our business,” continued Tomas.

“There are good people in the area who are trying to get the town back to life and great things are happening. I want to create a place where people can go to Mass or football training or whatever it is that they want to do and then come into Fika 33 for a coffee and a chat.”

CONTACT US

Fika 33 is based in Killeshanrda. Check out www.shamrockselfcatering.ie for more or call 087-775 0049.