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So goes the famous Irish folk song, sung by many a child and adult
around the world. Well, here in Phuket,
the scenery is nothing like the Dublin of the 1800s but tucked away
in Patong
Beach is our very own Molly Malone. This one takes the form
of a classy Irish-themed pub (Phuket's
first and only): Molly Malone's.
Brainchild of Managing Director, Stuart Montgomery, "Molly's"
opened its doors for the first time on October 1st, 1999 and less
than a year later has built a reputation as Phuket's fun place to
go. The entrance, just below Kentucky Fried Chicken, in Patong Shopping
Centre, is fairly unobtrusive but just walk down the stairs, open
the door and you are transported into the fun atmosphere of a real
Irish Bar. Draught Guinness and Kilkenny, two of Ireland's most
famous brews, flow at the double as folks gather around tables for
a evening of chatting, drinking, eating . . . and the obligatory
singing.
The decor really makes you feel as if transported thousands of
miles to Dublin. There are, of course, the necessary and welcome
reminders that you are in Thailand, but the olde worlde decor and
smell of timber is a really different feel for Phuket. The clientele
is a mixture of visitors to the island and locals both groups out
for a good time. As the evening's chatter begins to rise and people
relax into their chairs, the entertainment begins.
In Dublin's fair city, where girls are so pretty, 'twas there that
I first met sweet Molly Malone. As she wheeled her wheelbarrow through
streets broad and narrow, crying "cockles and mussels, alive,
alive oh"
Lee Hagerhorst hails from Orange County, California, USA; home
of surfing, the LA Rams, blueberry pancakes and Disneyland. Not
the sort of place one would expect a singer specialising in Irish
folk songs to hail from (and with that surname I don't think that
his father comes from The Emerald Isle). Lee's repertoire, however,
covers everything from "American Pie" to "The Irish
Rover". Perhaps the nicest aspect of the evening is the audience
participation, with everyone joining in to stamp their feet, clap
their hands and most importantly sing. Lee is also pretty adept
at requests: even if he hasn't played them before he will almost
always have a go.
The food menu is Western oriented, with 12 starters and snacks
and 14 main courses to chose from. Chicken Wings (Bht139) are recommended
for a snack, as are the Onion Rings (Bht109). As for main courses,
Irish Stew is a house speciality, along with Beef and Guinness Pie
(both are under Bht300).
Stuart Montgomery has been very careful in his selection of venue,
food, beverages and staff and it has really paid off. "Molly's"
is very busy most nights of the week and the amiable Manager, Ken
Crowe, sees to it that everyone has a good time.
She died of a fever and no-one could save her, and that was the
end of sweet Molly Malone. Now her ghost wheels her barrow, through
streets broad and narrow, crying "cockles and mussels, alive,
alive oh"
Thankfully, Molly Malone is alive, kicking and definitely thriving
here in Phuket.
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