Get Your Flags Out for JBM

2nd Sep 2013

It is the most anticipated game of hurling for years on Leeside and Rebels have been decking out their houses, shops and pubs  spectacularly well over the last week in support of JBM and his troops.
 

Con Murphy's: Nicely dressed.

We tend to place a large burden of expectation on these unpaid amateur players. Deep down we all know even just getting to an All-Ireland final is great for Cork. The pep in the step of everyone from young kids on estates knocking tennis balls around with hurleys (the All-Ireland final being a nice distraction to get them back to school) to older Cork fans who remember the days of Christy Ring.
 

An unexpected show of strength at The Framemakers on Cook Street

We can do little to help the team other than display our support and Corkonians haven’t been slow in jumping on the All-Ireland express with lots of businesses trumpeting their loyalty to the Rebels.  
 

Gentlemen's Quarters and the EBS

Shandon Street must surely get top marks for being the most pro-Cork area of the city with bright red and white bunting streaming from building to building; Cork flags stuck to every second window and good luck messages streaming from building to building.
 

Le Chateau gets the flags out for the lads

This is the kind of community spirit that sends a shiver up the spine of any Cork fanatic visiting the steep incline running from the North gate Bridge up to the “North Chapel”.
 

A fantastic show of red and white at The Market Tavern on Anglesea Street

While big high street chains in the city centre remain frustratingly neutral for fear of destabilising the their precious brands Cork is lucky in that over 80% of businesses in the city centre island are still considered “family owned”.
 

The Oliver Plunkett

Locally owned businesses like Con Murphy’s, Gentleman’s Quarters and Murray’s don’t have to apply to head office in Dublin or London for permission to place a flag in the window and this week these and other businesses have put in an admirable effort. Putting in a sterling effort this year is Pana’s only pub Le Chateau – the fantastic wall of red and white catches the eye from as far away as Winthrop Street.
 

The Ovens Bar

Over on Parnell Place where the homecoming will take place from 7pm next Monday night, The Welcome Inn and the newly opened Parnell bar are gleaming from head to toe in red and white while up nearby bars like The Ovens Tavern and The Oliver Plunkett and shops like Soundstore and the ice cream parlour Scúp are really laying on the pro-Cork dressings.
 

The newly opened Parnell Bar on Parnell Place

One of our favourites this week is The Market Tavern on Anglesea Street. Its angular façade faces both the traffic coming in off the City Link road and the never-ending lines of cars passing the fire station.
 

Scúp is decked out with flags and bunting...and also wisely chose a red awning!

Every window on the building right to the top floor has Cork flags in them and there are streams of bunting on it as dense as the red and white we’ll see on Hill 16 on Sunday.  
 

Blindingly red and white. Just the way we like it!

It’s not entirely wall to wall red and white in the city.  The Fish Wife on MacCurtain Street is flaunting its Clare roots. It is owned and worked by Bannermen who haven’t been afraid that decking their chipper out in Clare flags will deter Rebel fans.  
 

New shop Twilight News displays some Cork bunting

Good on them. Maybe this Sunday night their fish and chips will taste even better than usual to their Cork customers! 
 

A welcome addition to the street

If you want us to feature your gaf, office, shop, pub or business send a (half-decent) photo to us at editor@peoplesrepublicofcork.com with the subject "Cork Flags" and we'll do our best to include you.