Locals in Galbally were treated to the ‘Aussie’ experience recently when well-known chef, Kevin O’Donovan took over the reins at Mulvey’s Coffee Shop.
Kevin, who is now retired, was helping out his old friend John Frazer at the popular village cafe when this reporter recently visited.
Originally from Inchicore, Dublin, Kevin trained at the Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin and later at a hotel in Wicklow, before moving to Australia in 1980 with his wife and four children to work as a chef, then establishing his own catering company.
Kevin’s love affair with Galbally began as a young child when he regularly visited his grandaunt Mary Valence, who owned a drapery shop in the south Limerick village for many years, and it was through those visits his friendship with John Frazer developed.
“I loved travelling down to Galbally to stay with my aunt. As I got older I worked with John on a local farm and we kept in contact over the years,” Kevin told The Avondhu.
John and his wife Kate took over the running of Mulvey’s shop in Galbally from Janey and Tom Mulvey in the 1980s and decided to open a cafe, serving hot food to the locals in 1994.
Kevin was in temporary charge of service on our brief visit, while Kate enjoyed a well-earned break, but he is now looking forward to his return to Brisbane and seeing his seven grandchildren.
