Good news for all coffee aficionados: Local musician, Ultan Conlon, is opening a new coffee shop, on Society St in August. The new store “Wagtail”, located in the former Bruen Insurance Office, will focus on hand roasted coffees and specialist hot drinks such as matcha and cacao.
Ultan is originally from Loughrea, but he has strong links to Ballinasloe. “I have cousins and family [in the town] and used to spend time here in the summer when I was a boy,” he says. His uncle, Raymond, ran the The Corner House on the square, while another uncle, Michael, worked for Mighty Cabs. Another two uncles were nurses in St Brigid’s, while his mother also worked there for a short time as a receptionist. “I have always been very fond of the town and its people,” Ultan adds.
Ultan is best known as a musician and music was a passion for him from a young age. “I started writing songs as a teenager… and it just so happened to follow me throughout my life. I still perform, write, record and release original music, and love it as much as ever.” He adds that when Wagtail opens, he plans to showcase original music “on a semi-regular basis, perhaps monthly.”
He did a Post-Leaving Certificate in Music but says that “experience and graft and making my own way” were the most important routes into the industry for him. Highlights of his career include playing in LA with the legendary Jackson Browne, and having renowned folk artists such as Mary Coughlan and John Martyn record his songs. He’s also enjoying playing in a show with Eleanor Shanley and Jimmy Higgins, which focuses on the work of Percy French.
One of the aspects of music that he most enjoys is the “sense of community” that comes from playing with friends. “I do believe we need more community in this country in general …I would like to bring that sense of community to Wagtail and make it a hub for people to swing by and gather for chats in the middle of town.”
Ultan already has experience in the coffee industry, having started a coffee trailer with his friend in Castleblakeney two years ago. He says that he loves “the routine and social interactions. Also it is more constant than a career in music so I like the safety of that and the predictability.”
He adds that he gets many of the ideas for his songs from “people and stories so I’m sure there’ll be more than a song or two coming out of my time at Wagtail.”
Coffee will be supplied by David Hynes from Coffeeforty7, who hand roasts in small batches. “Anyone who has tried his coffee can attest to just how good it tastes,” Ultan adds. There will be a focus on consistency and ensuring that the quality is high in every cup. There will also be both indoor and outdoor seating. Ultan ultimately hopes to “create a satisfied customer base and a little hub for people to come and hang out and, most of all, to create a sense of community.”
Opening hours are yet to be confirmed, but they will open at 7am Monday – Friday, and will be open at weekends, too. Keep an eye out on social media for further updates.
