John Buckley’s journey from carpentry to cakes and cake sandwiches (yes you read that correctly) is as unique as the café he and his wife, Kiera Buckley, have built in Dripsey. “I always wanted to be a carpenter, I loved working with my hands,” John recalls. “It was my mother who convinced me to join the Navy. She didn’t want me heading abroad after I finished my apprenticeship. I really enjoyed my time in the Navy and jumped at every opportunity that came my way.
In addition to carpentry and working in the Navy, John has a background in health and fitness while Kiera has a farm business management background John explained. “ So we both have an appreciation for good food and fitness. We both love our outdoor sports from hiking to waterskiing and GAA. When you are running a business, trying to stay fit and trying to raise a healthy family,you try to get the best foods possible in your diet, but we both still love a treat! Kiera has arthritis in her back so we naturally gravitate towards whole foods and foods with anti-inflammatory properties.The last 10 years in Ireland there has been such a culture change, health and fitness is such a big way of life in Ireland now.
Kiera always wanted to start a food-related business,he says and when that opportunity came their way, they just decided to give it everything.”
That leap of faith has resulted in The Boathouse Café, the first one was opened in Coachord and the second a thriving community hub located in what was once Griffin’s Garden Centre. For John, that location carries deep meaning. “It means so much, I’m from Dripsey, my family has been here for generations. Griffins was Dripsey, everyone went there, everyone knew it. When it closed, we only had a pub left, no shop, no other community outlet. To be able to open something in Dripsey has been a massive achievement for us.”
Since opening, The Boathouse has flourished, earning accolades including Best Coffee in Cork, Best Breakfast in Cork, and Best Restaurant in Cork. “When we take a minute and look at what we’ve achieved, it’s amazing,” John says. “We’ve been lucky enough to be part of so many celebrations from christenings to weddings and we feel so lucky to be involved in everything.”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. John explains, “The challenging part starting out was doing all the renovations on both premises ourselves. Now that we are up and running, it’s the costs involved in keeping it going. Every week we’re seeing price increases and it seems endless. We’ve had electric failures, equipment breaking, suppliers letting us down, all elements that affect the business.”
Despite the challenges, the couple’s passion for what they do remains the driving force. “We love what we do. If we were in it for the money, we would be long gone. We go in every day and enjoy it. We love the people we work with, they’ve become family and the customers who support us every day.”
The couple’s approach to food is rooted in quality and care and is evident in the incredible breakfasts, lunches and brunches they serve. Their menu has something for everyone, from a full Irish breakfast, the café’s most popular dish to indulgent treats like Kiera’s favourite French Toast Apple Crumble and John’s Christmas Special Turkey, Stuffing, Brie and Cranberry Toastie, “It just tastes like Christmas,” he laughs.
The Boathouse has grown beyond what they initially envisioned. “We wanted to have a coffee shop where people would enjoy good coffee and have Kiera’s unique Northern Ireland cakes on display,” John says. “We have ended up with two thriving restaurants and a coffee trailer. We are proud of what we have achieved.”
Looking ahead, the couple hopes to continue refining their offerings while exploring new opportunities. “We really want to fine-tune what we have but also expand what we do on both premises. We have loads of space and ideas. Our staff have been amazing, and our customers have supported us throughout. We feel privileged to have staff that are like family and customers that are like friends.”
