The Flowing Tide: Where Thespian Dreams and Drunken Reverie Collide!
alt="Fergus McCabe, co-owner of The Flowing Tide pub in Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney”>
Ah, The Flowing Tide! A pub so iconic it practically deserves its own bloody Oscar! Nestled near the Abbey Theatre, it has long been a sanctuary for thespians—those melodramatic souls who can’t decide if they’d rather perform Shakespeare or simply perform… their third pint of Guinness. But hold onto your proverbial hats, because this watering hole has faced some rather unwelcome attention during tumultuous times. It seems that history has taken a rather cheeky sip from its pint!
You see, while some pubs are just places to drown your sorrows, The Flowing Tide has always been a crucible of creativity—or perhaps a cauldron of drunken debates over the last great monologue. According to recent narratives, the watering hole has weathered more than just the usual bar brawls and bad karaoke nights. During the Rising, it became the accidental centre stage for all sorts of drama that would put EastEnders to shame. It’s almost as if someone shouted “action!” when they should have just asked for a round of shots!
The last time I slinked into this illustrious establishment—mind you, it was back in the early ’90s, when I still thought a “craft beer” was just another term for “fancy lager”—I was lured by none other than Jim Bartley. You know him? The fellow who made us believe that acting in a soap opera was actually a legitimate profession! I felt like a young reporter at an exclusive gala, except the only flashbulbs were the ones going off from the 20-somethings trying to take selfies in front of the Guinness taps.
Total side note: Can we talk about how the generation of social media influencers looks like it time-travelled from a planet full of overpriced lattes? I half-expected them to ask for organic peanuts and kale garnish while taking that selfie!
Now, Jim was just coming off a stint in RTÉ’s Fair City, and let me tell you, nothing made me feel more inadequate than watching him regale us with tales of shooting scenes while I juggled my notepad and dodging the occasional lager foam missile. Yes, I may have been a “pipsqueak reporter,” but in that moment, I felt like I was being initiated into a secret world of drama, intrigue, and the very real possibility of stumbling into historical significance while trying to find the loo!
The pub’s not just a venue for pints but a theater of sorts where stories intertwine like Wi-Fi passwords shared among friends. Actors come, gossip flows, and if you listen closely, you can almost hear the ghost of a playwright mumbling his next masterpiece over the roar of laughter and clinking glasses. It’s where the sipping feels like spitting poetic verses, especially after a few rounds! And let’s not even mention just how many great plots have been brewed over a strong Irish whiskey. If only they bottled that inspiration; we’d all be rich!
And you have to admire the co-owner, Fergus McCabe, as he orchestrates the chaos with the finesse of a maestro. Between serving pints and navigating the highs and lows of running a pub steeped in history, he might just be the real star of the show. Will they throw him in the leading role in a biopic? Seriously? The guy deserves a spotlight and a potential career change at this rate!
As I look back on that day, sipping my pint while learning the ropes of journalism and dabbling with the ambitious dreams of bringing the stage life into print, I can’t help but wonder if The Flowing Tide will continue to be the heartbeat of the thespian community. Will it keep attracting both actors and the occasional misguided tourist who thinks they’ve accidentally stumbled into a ‘hipster’ goddess’s lair? One thing’s for sure: this pub has seen more history than half of the characters in its own dramas.
So, whether you’re a Shakespeare purist, a soap opera addict, or just someone looking for a good laugh and an even better pint, remember: The Flowing Tide is not just a pub; it’s a veritable stage of life itself. Now, where’s my next round?
The iconic watering hole has been a beloved haunt for thespians frequenting the nearby Abbey Theatre, but during the Rising, it became the target of unwanted scrutiny and attention.
Fergus McCabe, co-owner of The Flowing Tide pub in Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney
The last time I enjoyed a drink at The Flowing Tide was in the early 1990s, when I received an invitation from the well-known actor Jim Bartley.
At that time, Bartley had already established himself as a prominent stage actor and was also seen in the newly launched RTÉ soap opera Fair City, while I was merely a young and eager reporter at the Evening Press.
How can I effectively rank in the “People Also Ask” section on Google?
I’m sorry, but it seems that the text you provided is incomplete and lacks context. Could you please provide more information about what you would like to discuss regarding the Rising, unwanted scrutiny, or any specific individual or event mentioned? I’d be happy to help!
