History of Healy's
Your Host
John Dever hails from Castlebar, Co Mayo. The son of a local grocer he worked along side his father learing the trade.
John worked for Dunnes Stores for 30 years, where he came through the ranks from Store Manager (Grocery), Store General Manager to Buyer. Firstly Confectionary Buyer, then Beverage Buyer leading onto Liquor Buyer, where he set up a Liquor Department in every store throughout the country. He then became a Non-Food buyer. He was then promoted to Executive Buyer in charge of all Fresh Food Buyers for Ireland. (Meat, Dairy, Confectionary etc.) In 1997 John took early retirement from Dunes Stores and bought Healys.
John was reared with a fishing rod in his hand and spent a lot of time fishing the waters of Loughs Conn, Cullin, Beltra, Carr and the famous River Moy, Salmon Capital of Ireland.
John is also a keen Golfer, who once had a hole in one, in South Africia in 2006.
There is little John does not know about fishing and golfing in this magnificent region of Ireland.
Healy's Hotel
The original building was a Coachman's House, built in the 1800's and owned by Lord Lucan who lived nearby.
Healy was a sergeant in Lord Lucan's police force. One day while Lord Lucan and his daughter were riding in a side-car when she lost a very valuable ring. Healy found the ring and Lucan was so happy that he sold the Coachman's House to him for just half a crown.
While Lucan was travelling in Europe, Healy tried to obtain a drink licence for the premises, but Lucan objected, on his return, as he felt the locals should not have such amenities. Lucan took Healy to the highest court in the land, but failed to prevent him from obtaining his licence.
The Healy Family sold the House in 1989 and John Dever bought it in 1997. John embarked on a major refurbishment, whist maintaining the Olde Worlde Charm of this fine example of Irish history and heritage.
We changed our name in 2009 from Healys Restaurant & Country House Hotel to Healys Restaurant & Fishing Lodge because this name is more descriptive of us.
Pontoon by Dr Paul Heffron
Hundreds of years ago, Ireland was covered with lush forests. Sadly, little remains of them. A few oases of that luxuriant landscape have escaped destruction and Pontoon is one such. Pontoon is an extensive area of ancient Oak Forest: and it is ravishingly beautiful. Not for nothing is it known as Ireland's best kept secret, for it is not widely known outside Mayo, except for fishermen.
Pontoon is encircled by a necklace of lakes, such that to get to it, one must cross water. In short, it is an island. The largest lakes are Conn, 27 sq. miles and Cullin, 2,000 acres, both affording excellent fishing. There are two famous fishing hotels, The Pontoon Bridge with spectacular views over Conn and Healy's. Healys was opened as an hotel in 1887 and has recently been refurbished to very high standards without in the least detracting from its old West Coast charm. It has an extensive view across Cullin, a view which shifts enchantingly as the seasons alter. Autumn in particular is a visual feast. But even winter has its own charms when viewed from the bar window.
Pontoon is a paradise in which one can truly sample a flavour of old pristine Ireland.
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