‘’Distilling the Decades .. The Blake Family Archive” Exhibition is launched at Enniskillen Castle

An exhibition celebrating esteemed Fermanagh family, the Blakes, was launched on Friday 28 June at Enniskillen Castle . In recognition of their dedication to family, community, and business, visitors will journey through the evolving narrative of the Blake family business, exploring the lives and contributions of its key figures. The exhibition will be in place until Sunday 22 September 2024.

The exhibition offers a comprehensive glimpse into the rich history of the Blake family, who have been pivotal players in the licensed and whiskey trade for nearly 140 years. Through an array of documents, photographs, heirlooms, and other treasured items, the Blake Family Archive reveals the profound legacy of a family business that began as a modest grocer’s shop in 1880 on Chapel Street, Derrylin.

Tracing the family’s business evolution from a small grocery to a renowned name in fine wine and exclusive whiskies, the exhibition details the story of the famous Blakes of the Hollow, one of the finest preserved Victorian bars in Ireland, a significant aspect of the family’s heritage. It also tells of the Patrick Blake Group’s exclusive relationships with prestigious brands like Powers, Midelton, Redbreast and the Boatyard Distillery.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John Mc Claughry, attended the opening of the exhibition and said,
‘’Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to promoting access to arts, culture and heritage and the “Distilling the Decades” exhibition plays a key role in achieving this, by telling authentic stories about local people. The pieces in this exhibition are invaluable resources for learning about our heritage and how it has shaped our present day.
The “Distilling the Decades” exhibition is a compelling exploration of a family’s enduring legacy and its impact on the local and community and beyond. I would encourage everyone to take this unique opportunity to connect with the rich history of the Blake family.’’

Pat Blake from the Patrick Blake Group was in attendance at the launch of the exhibition and said,
‘’The Blake family are delighted the exhibition has come to fruition and is now open. Getting to this stage has entailed a lot of hard work but has been a real team effort involving both the family and the museum staff. Bernie Blake has employed all her art and design teaching experience in setting out 140 years of archive material illustrating the evolution of the Blake business from 1840 to the present day. Niamh, a lawyer by day, became a graphic designer by night and weekends, completing the display boards which provide the history narrative.

It has been a delight to also have the Herbert family contributing archive material dating back to the late 1880s, Richard Herbert having established ‘The Hollow’ as a public house in 1887.

There are several hundred photographs, business documents, art and memorabilia including many staff who worked in the various Blake businesses, as well as customers, from across the decades. We are hopeful the exhibition will prove interesting and informative to visitors over the next three months”.

Following the opening of the exhibition, the family has experienced the sad loss of long-standing member and popular publican, Pat Blake. Aged 91, Pat made a considerable contribution to the family business including through his career at Pat’s Bar and Blakes of the Hollow.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, including the staff at the Museum, the Council chair Councillor John McClaughry, expresses his sincere condolences to the Blake family. The exhibition forms a fitting tribute to Pat Blake’s hard work and community commitment alongside the other members of his family, friends and colleagues.

Information on admission to the exhibition is available at: Enniskillen Castle.