‘We will never ever forget this’
A massive community fundraising effort is underway in Cootehill to help the Igoe family re-open Seán’s Diner after it went on fire last week.
“We will be opening again,” owner Seán Igoe’s daughter Ciara shared with The Anglo-Celt. The family are aiming to have the popular diner open for business in four weeks, and are currently working through the process.
“We won’t open until we are fully certified and fully above board,” she though assured.
“That’s the hurdle now.”
The family received an “awful shock” when they saw the aftermath of a fire which took hold at the Market Street premises on Friday morning (March 13). Fire crews from Cootehill and Cavan Town were immediately dispatched, when the alarm was raised shortly after 7.30am.
Braving intense heat and dense smoke, firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus battled the blaze from multiple angles.
A spokesperson for Cavan Fire Service confirmed by mid-morning, the fire was fully contained, and emergency services confirmed no injuries were reported.
‘Gobsmacked’
Meanwhile, a massive fundraising effort began over the weekend. A GoFundMe page set up had raised over €10k within 24 hours. At the time of going to print, that figure stood at €14,660.
“We’re absolutely gobsmacked; people are always so good. It’s so emotional to see what people are writing and what they’re willing to do for us. We can’t thank people enough,” says Ciara.
“Ordinary people coming down the street were pushing the door in asking can they help,” she adds, describing how work men offered to come with their vans to clear out damaged equipment.
“We will never ever forget this, how generous, kind and supportive people are.
“It’s so so nice to see that everybody wants Seán’s Diner back open.”
The Ignoe family thanked the entire community who have rallied around to help them since, as well as the local fire services who responded that morning.
“A massive thank you from Seán, Jane and all the family,” she expressed.
‘An institution’
Secretary of the Cootehill Chamber of Commerce, Connie Whelan, described Seán’s Diner as “synonymous” with the town’s Market Street.
“It’s an institution, he’s always been there,” she said.
The temporary closure of the street’s focal point is a “big loss”, and for “people who go there every day”.
“It’s their go to place for a bit of food, the craic, meeting neighbours, meeting family. Every town needs some place like Seán’s Diner.”
Connie notes that the owners have a “long road ahead of them to get back open and back on their feet again. We’d just encourage everyone to support them,” she adds, saying how the chamber will be “there for them” for support as they go through the process.
The chamber members and executive expressed their “sincere sympathy and support” to Seán and his family, and “looks forward to the day when Séan’s Diner is welcoming customers again in the heart of the town.”
The community’s response aims to assist the Igoe’s in reopening the diner with a number of fundraising initiatives underway.
Support
The West End Bar will hold a fundraiser on Saturday (March 21) at 8pm, with music by DJ Brian, raffles and spot prizes; and two community raffles have been organised by locals Lisa Hogan and Kevin Cochrane on social media.
People can donate to the effort online using the GoFundMe page.
“In the weeks ahead, Seán and his family will face a challenging process as they work towards reopening; navigating insurance matters, dealing with suppliers, assessing damage, and planning the significant work required to restore the premises. These situations take time, which is why the support currently being shown by the community is so important,” an online post read.