We all know Dolceacqua for its beautiful castle, the bridge made famous by Claude Monet and of course the wine Rossese di Dolceacqua, but did you know that Dolceacqua also has a real Irish Pub?
The Black Eagle, or as it is known in Dolceacqua, L'Aquila Nera, is the only Irish Pub in Cinque Valli. You can get all the famous Irish beers, including Guinness, and the glorious Irish Whisky, Jameson.
The owner of The Black Eagle Pub is Collette Carrigan, who has been living in Dolceacqua for 20 years. She is from Kilkenny and girls from Kilkenny are known as "Cats".
Why did you come to Italy in the first place?
Love is always a good reason for changing something big in your life and so did I. I met my husband, Massimo, in Germany. He is an Italian from Sanremo. We lived for a while in Germany before we moved to Sanremo in 1989.
Is there any difference between going to the pub in Ireland and in Italy?
There is a huge difference. In Ireland the Pub is part of every town as much as is the school, the church or the local post office. It's part of our culture in Ireland. You go to the pub to have a drink with a friend or even just on your own. Italians prefer to go to a cafe. The same social occasions in which in Ireland you would drink beer, in Italy you would probably go for a cocktail or a coffee.
Do you now of other Irish people in Cinque Valli?
Yes I do. My friend Margaret is from Dublin. She lives in Monaco (Monte Carlo). It's nice to be able to talk to people who speak your own language once in a while. And we pick up on the latest gossips. I know of another pal from Ireland who lives in Castel Vittorio but I haven't met him yet.
What traditions did you bring with you from Ireland?
After so many years abroad I really don't have any Irish traditions anymore. But my family still lives in Ireland and so I certainly can't forget the Irish way of living.
Written by Stefania Orengo – Subedited by Gianluca Avagnina
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