Jaz Mooney: Belfast's Pubs During The Troubles

 
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Jaz Mooney is a publican from Northern Ireland who built-up an insane portfolio of pubs during the Troubles like The Fly bar, Madison’s Hotel, McHugh’s, The Nothern Whig, Ryan’s Bar and Grill, The Kings Head, The Globe Bar, Apartment Bar, The Rotterdam Bar and of course The Botanic Inn (aka The Bot!)

After being trained at what became the University of Ulster, Jaz went travelling to Australia where he met his future wife and discovered many fresh ideas/concepts which he then brought back home with him to the local hospitality scene.

Fast forward a few decades and Jaz has sold-up his businesses at home and moved out to Australia where he's lived since 2006 with his wife and five kids. These days he runs Pelathon an organisation that manages and serves hospitality businesses all over Australia

In today's episode we talk about:

  • His early memories of working in hospitality

  • Operating some of the only pubs open during The Troubles

  • Crazy stories from back in the day

  • How COVID has affected the hospitality industry

  • And the greatest challenges/successes he's faced along the way.

Check it out.

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One thing most people don't know about you: Didn’t pass my 11 plus.
Favourite Book: Don’t read much except newsmedia.
Favourite Quote: You only get out what you put in.

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Today's episode is part of our collaboration with NI Connections where we catch up with someone incredible from Northern Ireland doing interesting things overseas on the last Monday of every month.

To discover more amazing diaspora stories, check out their website niconnections.com where you can also sign up for their free, monthly newsletter.

How To Listen

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Thanks again to Jaz Mooney for taking the time to share his story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew ThompsonNIC