Joe Grogan has worked in some aspect or other of the food business since he was a teenager, beginning in supermarkets and running a number of different successful restaurants along the way. Along with business partner, the talented chef Grainne Sheridan, he opened Walkers 1781 last March, in the teeth of the pandemic. It’s a beautifully revamped pub, effortlessly combining a comfortable pint drinking environment with a classy gastro pub menu. From June, they were able to welcome eat-in customers for a short period of time, but it’s mainly been takeaway and, as Joe puts it ‘Not a single person has sat at the bar counter’. He’s hoping that will change soon.
That determination that has brought Walkers 1781 through the challenges of the last year is an endemic part of Joe’s personality. Since an early age, he has always been the type of person to see opportunities, not obstacles and to work his way positively through tough times.
When he had the chance, he took a year off and travelled the globe. This was in the 1990s, pre social media and pre mobile phones, and proved to be a wonderful experience. Starting in Egypt, he travelled on trains, planes and automobiles, visiting every exotic destination he could. India, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand all helped in shaping his approach to food and indeed to life.
Travel also introduced him to different types of wines and this has become a real passion for him. Joe has done several wine courses and his interest is obvious from the wine list in Walker 1781. Unsurprisingly he absolutely loves France and is fascinated by vineyards – he’s even had a go at picking grapes by hand.
Joe Grogan is a self-confessed workaholic who thinks nothing of putting in 70-hour weeks. It’s clear that he absolutely loves what he does and finds the hospitality industry infinitely fascinating – even with the recent challenges they have faced. He is a keen hillwalker, and enjoys getting into the great outdoors, though these days he hasn’t much time for that. Just as well Walkers has two flights of stairs to keep him fit as he works.
Joe has worked in many well-known establishments, including Hargadon Bros where he was responsible for introducing food. His first step into running his own business was in the late 1990s when he opened Café Cairo along the river in Sligo, where Eala Bhán restaurant is now. There he generated a strong lunch trade, attracting business clientele from far and wide.
He and Grainne have worked together for over 20 years and prior to Walkers 1781 they ran the award winning Luna restaurant in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim. Walkers 1781 in the heart of Sligo, is looking like being every bit as successful for the talented pair.
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