When publican brothers Kieran and Conor Devine organised a special event remembering the last meal of the Titanic at the Huntsman, Cheadle, they were oblivious to an amazing family connection to the ill fated liner.
For the duo’s Great Uncle Thomas was on the passenger list for the Titanic’s voyage to New York – only to miss his train connection.
“We put on a special menu last year to celebrate the Huntsman’s links with our local brewery, Titanic,” explained Conor from the popular Staffordshire Moorlands pub.
“When we mentioned it to family back in Ireland we were amazed to be told the story of Great Uncle Thomas from Roscommon.
“He was on the passenger list but thankfully missed his train. He eventually made it to the US where he lived in Boston until his death in the 1940s.”
The Huntsman is commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Titanic disaster by serving up another special menu featuring dishes served to passengers on the great White Star liner.
The event will also help to raise funds for a Stoke-on-Trent to Paris cycle ride organised by local hair dresser Duncan Cowans on behalf of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, in nearby Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Conor added: “Last year’s Titanic tribute menu was a great success and I am sure people in the area are looking forward to the new menu.
“We are supporting the Douglas Macmillan Hospice cycle ride and are sponsoring t-shirts for the riders who have held meetings at the Huntsmen to organise the event.”
The Titanic Tribute Menu is available between Wednesday, 13 April and Sunday, 17 April. It includes such White Starline classics as Filet Mignons Lili, roast half duckling, and a dessert of plum pudding.
The Huntsman, in Brookhouse, Cheadle, is well known for its real ales, including the award winning range from Burslem’s Titanic Brewery.
Brewery Director, Dave Bott said: “We established a link with the Hunstman last year and are delighted to be able to continue the partnership. Titanic Brewery has gained a reputation for rescuing rundown Staffordshire pubs and Kieran and Conor have done a fantastic job taking on a emty pub and transforming it into a vibrant community hub.”
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For further information contact Dave Bott on 01782 823447 or Keiran and Conor Devine – phone 01538 750502, email- [email protected].
Note to editors: Titanic’s full range of beer can be seen on the company’s award winning website at www.titanicbrewery.co.uk Titanic Brewery was founded in Burslem in 1985 and has grown to produce more than two million pints of fine ale every year. It is owned by Stafford born brothers Keith and Dave Bott. Keith is Chairman of SIBA, the society of independent brewers. The brewery name is in recognition of Stoke-on-Trent as the birthplace of Captain Edward Smith, Master of the ill fated Titanic ocean liner.
The Huntsman had been empty for several months when it was relaunched in 2009 by Keiran and Conor Devine and is now a thriving community pub.
Meals are served on Wednesday and Thursday between 12 noon and 2pm, and 5pm and 8pm; on Friday and Saturday between 12 noon and 2pm and 5pm and 9pm; and on Sunday between 12 noon and 6pm.
In 2010, Duncan Cowans, of Tape Street, Cheadle, cycled from Blackpool to Stoke-on-Trent in aid of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and has organised several previous events for the hospice.
Titanic Tribute:
The menu will pay tribute to those lost at sea with the words: Shortly before midnight on 14 April, 1912, four days into the ship’s maiden voyage, Titanic struck an iceberg and sank two hours and 40 minutes later early on 15 April, 1912. The sinking resulted in the death of 1,517 of the 2,223 people on board. Of the 421 men and women of the Victualling crew, 62 were employed as galley and kitchen staff (13 survived). They were, chefs, cooks, bakers, butchers and scullions who worked in the kitchens of each class to cook the various meals for the passengers. This menu is our tribute to those forgotten heroes.