There’s always time for coffee …
ÉIST ESPRESSO BAR, GLENAGEARY, CO DUBLIN
JEFF BYRNE AND AILISH O’SULLIVAN “We developed our passion and appreciation for the coffee industry early in our relationship – exploring different cafés and working in the coffee industry together. Our mutual love for it grew over the years, and we’d always fantasised about owning our own shop one day. When launching Éist last year, we wanted to create a space that genuinely served the community and gave people a place to unwind and connect. Our name is a nod to socialising with friends, being present, and truly listening. And of course, there’s the music element too. When we think of an Espresso Bar, we picture a tiny café in Italy – the hustle and bustle of a busy bar where customers pass through, enjoy their coffees and a quick chat, and then head on with their day. Our space (in Glenageary Dart Station) is small, with only high bar seating, so that term just felt right. Ailish and I are a bit of a rare couple – we actually work really well together. Where one of us is weak, the other is strong, so our roles fell into place naturally. Ailish has an amazing eye for design, so she shapes how the space looks and feels. I’m more into the supplier side and communication, so I handle a lot of that.”
FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP: “Copper and Straw in Bray (@copperandstraw), where we live, will always have a special place in our hearts; we’ve been going there for years. Abroad, we would probably say Patricia in Melbourne. Beautiful coffees, top-class baristas, and a shop that’s quite similar to ours – small, in an old building, with huge sash windows.”
COFFEE ORDER: Jeff: “Mine is usually a flat white or a pour over filter coffee.” Ailish: “A flat white or an iced Americano.” @eistespressobar
THE FAT FOX, CO WICKLOW
CLAIRE CULLEN. “I studied Culinary Arts in DIT but soon realised my passion wasn’t for fine dining; it was cafés, community, and creating meaningful moments in people’s days. The Fat Fox has had multiple homes over the past decade, but for now we have our café in Greystones and our drive-thru in Delgany, Co Wicklow, housed in an old 1950s petrol station. When we opened it six years ago there was only one other coffee drive-thru operating in Ireland, so it wasn’t a common model, but we saw a real opportunity and it’s been really popular with the community. Having our roaster on-site in Greystones is a huge part of what makes us unique, and it gives us complete control over our product; it has become central to our identity at The Fat Fox. It’s not just about serving great coffee but roasting it with care and purpose too. Our head roaster Shane has worked with me for nearly a decade and I feel incredibly lucky to have him as part of the team. All of our coffees are single origins, and having that variety is something we love sharing with our customers. It’s not just about serving great coffee but roasting it with care and purpose too.”
FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP: “At home, Hatch in Glasthule (@hatchcoffee). I’ve loved it since day one and it’s always a treat to get back there. Abroad, La Cabra in New York (@lacabracoffee). Everything from the coffee to the pastries to the people watching is just perfect.”
COFFEE ORDER: “A flat white. I’m a simple girl.” @thefatfoxofficial
NONI’S, KENMARE, CO KERRY
DOIREANN HEALY “Since opening Begley & Bowie, my boutique in Kenmare, I always wanted to add a café and gallery space to the store. My grandmother was named Nóní Twomey and she was from the Cork Gaeltacht. She had a huge influence on mine and my siblings’ upbringing, so I always wanted to honour her, and now I’ve named the café after her. The coffee comes from Bean in Dingle (one of my favourite coffee shops) and baked goods from Dingle’s Courtney’s Bakery, which has been a family bakery for over 51 years – they are famous for their sprinkle doughnuts. I stock homewares, ceramics and merchandise in the store and it lends itself to wonderful conversations with customers.”
FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP: “At home, Alma in Portobello in Dublin 8 (@alma.dublin), and Kaph on Drury Street (@kaphsc). We go to the South of France every summer and last year we stayed in St Tropez, where I visited the Dior café.”
COFFEE ORDER: “A skinny cappuccino.” @noniskenmare
DOLLY’S, LISCANNOR, CO CLARE
ELAINE SLATTERY “I previously worked as a barrister in Dublin and was a busy mum to four daughters. We’ve always had a strong connection to Liscannor, Co Clare, where we’ve spent countless summer holidays in our family home. As life shifted – the girls grew older and began working (the youngest is now finishing college) – I started spending more time here myself. When a derelict cottage came up for sale in the heart of the village, I jumped at the chance to create something new. At the core of Dolly’s was always the idea of community. I wanted to create a non-alcoholic, inclusive space where people could gather, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. We’ve hosted everything from book clubs and sound baths to cookery demos and bridge nights, with weekly yoga and pilates classes in our wellness studio. We are always listening and responding to what the community wants. This journey has been a reminder that you never know where life will take you, and it’s so important to stay open and curious. I’m in my late 50s, and Dolly’s was never part of the plan – but I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built.”
FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP: “I really admire Lahana in the Bougainvilla Plaza, Quinta do Lago, Portugal (@___lahana___)It was founded by a young woman from Dublin who just went for it – and made something brilliant.”
COFFEE ORDER: “Oat flat white, every time!” @dollysliscannor