Parish Priest Opens Coffee Wagon in Co Louth
Fr Paddy Rushe Brews Evening Coffee Trend in Drogheda with ‘An Trucail’
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Drogheda, Co. Louth – In a bid to redefine evening routines, popular Parish Priest Fr Paddy Rushe is determined to make evening coffee a burgeoning trend in Drogheda with his mobile coffee wagon, ‘An Trucail’. Operating at least four times a week, Fr Paddy, who humorously uses the social media handle ‘Paddystarbucks’, has established a loyal following at a decommissioned church, ‘Gerrard’s’, on Mary Street, serving between 6-9pm.
From Podcast Passion to Coffee Wagon Success
Fr Paddy’s foray into the world of mobile coffee began as a natural extension of his deep-seated love for coffee and a podcast he launched on February 29th last year, aptly named ‘Beansandmore‘. This podcast, which has now reached 22 episodes, delves into coffee shops across his native Armagh, Louth, Meath, and Dublin, exploring their role in community building and meaningful experiences.
“The podcast is another of my passion projects,” Fr Paddy shared with a laugh.”But it is about community and how the coffee shops have played a part in building on that and any meaningful experiences they have had. I love the interviews, the editing and all the technical side of things.”
the inspiration for ‘An Trucail’ struck serendipitously. “I was dropping a leaflet on the podcast into a shop one day and I noticed a horse box beside it so I asked about it and was told it was for sale. After much deliberation and research, I decided to buy it and give it a go.”
A Taste of Home and Family Legacy
The coffee served from ‘An Trucail’ is sourced from the Dundalk firm GreenBean, which Fr Paddy describes as “marvellous.” The name of the wagon, ‘An Trucail’, is a heartfelt tribute to his late brother, Eoin Pól, a Gaelgóir who passed away two years ago after a battle with cancer.
The wagon officially opened its doors on St. Stephen’s Day, a date chosen in honor of his late sister, Mary ann, who tragically passed away in her sleep at the age of 33 in 2017. Fr Paddy also noted the practical consideration that few other coffee establishments would be open on that particular day.”Mary Ann shared my passion for coffee which actually came from our mother,” Fr Paddy explained. “As soon as we were old enough, we learned to make her a coffee and then our own coffee and it stemmed from there. When my mother retired from teaching, she opened up her own coffee shop so it really is a passion at the heart of our family.”
challenging Coffee Norms: Evening Brews in Louth
Fr Paddy is on a mission to challenge the perception that coffee is solely a daytime beverage. He aims to establish evening coffee as a fashionable and sought-after experience in Louth, mirroring trends seen across continental Europe.
“I’m trying to provide a service in the evenings,” he stated. “I don’t think you can get a good barista coffee in the town in the evening, unless you go into a pub, hotel or restaurant.”
While many coffee wagons boast elaborate menus, ‘An Trucail’ focuses on a simpler offering, providing a “simple wrapped treat like a KitKat or Toffee Crisp” alongside its coffee. Fr Paddy envisions the ‘An Trucail’ experience as an chance for customers to “chill out in the evening and relax in a lovely location in the company of friends.”
He acknowledges the growing popularity of evening coffee and caters to all preferences, even offering caffeine-free options for those concerned about sleep disruption. “I think evening coffee is starting to become fashionable but I also serve caffeine free drinks for those who fear falling asleep will be a problem later in the night,” he added with a smile.For those interested in following Fr Paddy’s unique coffee journey, more information can be found at www.antrucailcoffee.com, on Facebook @AnTrucailCoffee, and on Instagram @antrucailbeansandmore.