'Penance pints': Confession box unveiled at Meath pub
Louise Walsh
Three Our Fathers and a Bloody Mary - Meath sinners can swap their transgressions for a penance pint at a newly-installed pub confession box.
The unique bar accessory was installed to keep 'manners' on the clientele at Swan's Pub in Curragha and owner Paddy Swan has been seen to enter the two-door box to hear confessions and dole out the associated penance.
Paddy decided to build the confessional for the beer garden after coming across old doors, spud boxes and his granny's curtains while cleaning out a shed.
"Adding a confessional to the pub has been on my to-do list for a few years now to provide a safe and secure place for patrons to talk to the barman in private," he laughed.
"After all, the sanctity of the bar and that unspoken bond of confidentiality between the barman and his patrons is one of the pillars of the traditional Irish bar. We will always listen with a sympathetic ear, give advice and take everything to the grave with us.
"And after confessions it becomes a dating box for couples to learn more about each other and exchange numbers.
"People are quickly realising that they have been addicted to social media and are increasingly isolated so they need to get down to their local pubs, socialise and meet new people the traditional way and reconnect with the community.
"We will always encourage people to live meaningful lives and to treat people with respect but it's ok as well to commit a few little sins along the way and to know that your local barman is always here with a sympathetic ear and a cold beer."
Only three weeks in and the confession box is getting great reaction, especially from bus tours who usually drop by and get their pictures taken on the 20 foot sofa that Paddy has also built in the pub.
"I've heard many a confession in that box in this short time and what I've heard would make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, but my lips are sealed.
"I generally tell them to buy a few pints for themselves or their partner, a bouquet of flowers. Tipping the staff is a favourite of mine".
"We've had no complaints yet from the local priest but if the sin I'm hearing is very serious, I normally refer them to a higher power and send them up the road to the Church," he laughed.
Paddy remains especially tight-lipped when asked if any of the Williams Racing Formula One team who visited Swan's last week confessed to any sins in the box.
The F1 pit crew and engineers popped into the traditional Irish pub for pints, tours and a tour during an off-site team and pit crew training camp.
"They've made a few pit stops alright but I'm not at liberty to say if the Confessional was one of them," he grinned
