Leitrim family's centuries-old pub tradition reaches new milestone

Earlier this month, one of Leitrim’s best-known pubs, Fox’s of Tooman, celebrated 40 years in business.

The pub was opened by Jimmy and Kathleen Fox four decades ago, continuing a publican tradition in Mohill that stretches back hundreds of years.

The Fox name has a long history in the area, with Jimmy’s family operating pubs bearing the family name since the 1700s, making Fox’s one of Leitrim’s longest-established pub names.

The couple built the pub and shop onto their family home, where they raised their three children, Dervla, Charlotte and Seamus.

“We've seen plenty of ups and downs, I can tell you that,” says Kathleen.

Over the years, they have witnessed economic booms and busts, changing times and generations of people passing through their doors. They have seen some grow up and others sadly pass away.

“You'd have to enjoy it, and you'd have to be interested in it, otherwise you couldn't do something like this,” Kathleen said.

Rural life has changed considerably since they first opened their doors. The pub trade was busier back then, with more young people staying in rural Ireland to live and work.

“When we started up, every pub had music at weekends, and everybody did well, but that's changed so much now,” Kathleen recalls.

“Nearly nobody has it now, because it's just everything has changed,” she says.

“Rural Ireland, they're not getting enough support to keep businesses in rural Ireland. The government, they mention them from time to time, but they definitely don't give us any support and help.”

Over four decades, the pub has seen a lot. They have seen locals grow up, and hosted major moments in their lives, whether it be going-away parties, coming home parties - they even had a couple of weddings.

The pub has been a place for locals to meet, find company and community. Places like that are disappearing in rural Ireland, and need to be protected, says Kathleen.

“The post offices have gone, most of the shops have gone. What's left in rural Ireland at the minute?”

“I'm not saying they need us, but they need places like this. People need some places to go to meet other people and to have a chat and whatever.”

Looking back over the past 40 years, Jimmy and Kathleen are grateful to all those who have come through their doors and given them patronage.

And even after all this time, they still enjoy what they are doing, and that enjoyment is at the heart of the pub's longevity, according to Kathleen.

For Jimmy, the pub was something he was reared into; it is normal living, and something he is passionate about.

“Jimmy probably puts in a bigger effort than anyone; he's always here, and to him customers are everything.”

The pair also paid tribute to their family, whose support and contribution have helped make Fox’s of Tooman the success it is today.

The pub will host a 40-year celebration on Saturday night.