Nicks Bar & Restauant, KILLORGLIN, Kerry

In early 1978, Nick and I decided that we would like to open a little restaurant as Nick loved cooking. Having studied veterinary in Dublin Nick's career path took a u-turn and he found himself back in Kerry helping his Dad on the family farm in Killarney. He eventually ended up in Killorglin and set up his own butcher shop after we married in 1972. The business grew and Nick started supplying the catering establishments in Killarney when we came up with the idea to open our own restaurant together.

The premises that is the main restaurant of Nicks today had been owned by my late mother Eileen Power who's family had ran a thriving drapery business long past the death of my father John when I was a mere 11 months. After all my siblings moved away Nick and I bought the premises and our dream of opening a restaurant finally came alive. We had already been blessed with three beautiful children Nicola, John and Cliodhna and after Padraig was born the idea became a reality and the doors to the original Nick's Steak House were opened on Easter Sunday 1978.

We worked hard throughout our lives to make the restaurant succeed and we were blessed with my wonderful mum and family who helped us out in every way with our family. Living over the restaurant allowed us to stay close to the business and our growing family. We have had our ups and downs along the long sometimes thorny road to build up our family business. We produced another beautiful baby son 6 years after Padraig so in all we have 5 wonderful children. At various times throughout the past 35 years all our children have worked with us in the business and when the need arises still do today. Nicola and Cliodhna have started up their own ventures. John continues to work in the industry while Padraig and Seamie have decided that restaurant life isn't for them. Nick and I are now blessed with six little granddaughters and if I can bestow on them the great love my mum bestowed on me and my family that would be my greatest achievement to date.