BY NUALA MCALOON

For 16 years now, Enniskillen man, Gordon McKenna has been the familiar face behind one of Fermanagh's great classic pubs, Blake's of the Hollow on Church Street.

He was introduced to bar work by his father, Michael who was the manager at Blake's for 23 years before retiring in 1996.

And from where he started out as a part-time bar man at the age of 16, Gordon has now worked his way up to the responsibilities of his current post as Duty Bar Manager.

A former student of St. Joseph's College, he moved on to St. Michael's Grammar School to study A-levels before travelling to Portobello College International in Dublin where he obtained a HND in Business Studies and Marketing. Throughout this time, he continued to work part-time as a bar man at Blake's and, upon his return from Dublin, worked for 18 months at Plastofilm in Lackaghboy Industrial Estate.

From there he went onto work at the Roadhouse Bar for a year while continuing his part-time work at Blake's. He subsequently took up on a full-time post at Blake's where he has been based permanently for the last nine years.

"It's an interesting job," he explained, "in that you never know who is going to come in or what is going to happen from one day to the next. You work on a day to day basis," he explained.

Gordon works five days a week, but as the shifts work out, it means he is working eight days one week, and four the next, with every other weekend off. The five shifts come in two eight and a half hour forms, either from 10.30 in the morning to seven in the evening or from seven in the evening to two in the morning. The weekends predictably combine the busiest shifts.

"Everyday is different in this business. There is no typical day, and in such a big place as Blake's you take it from day to day. For example at the minute there are builders working upstairs, so it's like a building site. So you are both working in the bar and also dealing with the builders' questions."

Gordon's role as Duty Manager means he has responsibility for working in the bar, opening and closing the premises, making sure orders are correct, staff are there when they are needed, and at the week-ends, co-ordinating between the three main bars, including the main front bar, the lower and upper Atrium as well.

Ironically, while his title may suggest he spends the bulk of his time slogging behind the bar, most of Gordon's week-end work is spent toiling on the other side ensuring everything runs smoothly from one bar to the next.

"On a Friday night," he went on, " there is traditional music in the Hollow while Keri Wilson sings in the lower Atrium, so I would go between the two to ensure everyone is happy, including customers, bar staff and door staff. There may also be parties, such a birthday going on as well."

Gordon works in conjunction with Mark Edwards, the pub's general manager to facilitate the weekly working of a rota which Gordon's light-heartedly suggests is drawn up as a rule on Tuesday, but is subsequently amended on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

The highlights of the job include the daily meet and greet with both regulars and new customers.

"You meet different people and different situations every day, and the fact that you never know what is going to happen makes the job interesting. We have had many different characters over the years. One was regular Jimmy McManus who passed away this year. He came in every day for his half pint of Guinness and you would bring up his lunch.

"The good thing is the variety of regulars on different days of the week. Some come in one weekend in the month, others every Christmas, and others when they are on their holidays. Everybody in Enniskillen has been in the Hollow at least once."

The challenges of the job come in making sure Gordon does his bit to run a smooth ship.

"At the week-end particularly, you have to make sure everything is ready and organised so that people are happy and enjoy their experience in Blake's."

And as for the odd difficult customer?

"They are not too bad. Every bar has their run-ins every now and again. I find the best thing to do is to use a lot of the gift of the gab so that they are on the street before they know it. Talking is the best way to deal with those situations."

And Gordon says it is always satisfying to see customers happy.

"It's great when you see people having fun and enjoying themselves. As well as the music, we also run comedy sessions, about four times a year. It's great when something is well done and well organised, or knowing you have made someone's night. Some people even come in with thank-you cards afterwards."

As for those considering going down the route of bar management as a career, Gordon has the following advice.

"Be sure it's what you want to do. Be prepared for the long hours and the late nights. And wear comfortable shoes! You also have to be easy-going and be able to laugh most things off."