In Reply to: Re: The Humbert Inn Legend Comes To A Close posted by Saint Humbert on August 29, 2006 at 23:25:26:

Trying to remember my first time in The Humbert is like trying to recall a lingering dream.You feel that it has become a part of you,yet the whole memory is surrounded by smoke.My first memory of The Humbert wass one of being surrounded by a smokey atmosphere,alive with music and banter.

What were we to do?Too old for Stalkys and too yound for Johnnys,The Humbert just seemed like the right place.

We were all a bit nervous our first time there.After all we were now drinking with adults,or people two or three years older than us.But we soon realised that there was no pretension or ignorance and we got to know everyone on first name terms.

I always loved just walking through the door and looking around the magnificant building.I would often be perched at the end of the bar and would think of Humbert and his troops celebrating after they liberated Castlebar.

But any place is only as good as the people you meet there,and in this regard The Humbert was top of the class.Everyone was friendly to everyone there and I can hardly ever remember there being any hassle in the place.Everyone was always made feel welcome by whoever stood behind the bar.

The music was also as much a part of the place as the Guinness.So many nights there resulted in days when you could not speak simply because your throat was destroyed from all the singing,or attempts at it.

Occasions were also a special time in The Humbert,none more so than St.Patricks Day when you could stand outside with your pint and watch the parade go by,and Christmas Eve.I can't think of any other place I would want to be on Christmas Eve than in The Humbert,catching up with all my pals who I had not seen for months.After a few we would make the annual pilgrimage to Rays and go home as excited about Christmas Day as if we were kids again.

The best tribute I can pay to everyone who made the place what it was for me,John,Katie,Dusty,Carmel,Karen,Gillard,Caroline and countless others,is that when The Humbert is gone,the great memories you served us all will remain.

So for everyone who has laughed,cried,fallen in love or just fallen off your seat in this great establishment,this institution of our town,come down for one last night.Hear Libedo and the legends that are Frank and Noel in the the place which is the way it should be.

For those of us who were there,it will simply be like returning home.For those of you just arriving,come in and make your own memories...