In Scotland, staff at an Irish pub, Biddy Mulligans, humorously suggested transforming their establishment into an Ivory Coast bar after Ireland did not qualify for the World Cup. Manager Ruairi O’Neill took the jest to heart and turned the pub into what he believes is Scotland’s first Ivorian-Irish pub for the World Cup season.
During the tournament, Biddy Mulligans is offering Ivory Coast cuisine, African Guinness, playing Ivorian music, and passionately supporting the West African country’s national soccer team. O’Neill expressed that the initiative brought some joy amid Ireland’s absence from the World Cup.
The idea stemmed from the resemblance between the Irish and Ivory Coast flags, with a long-standing joke in Ireland about the flag makeup resembling the Ivory Coast flag. When bartender Hamish Smith playfully suggested the concept on Instagram, the response was overwhelming, particularly from Ivorian supporters who embraced the idea and propelled it to viral status.
The pub has fully embraced the Ivorian theme by adorning the venue with Ivory Coast flags and dressing the staff in bright orange T-shirts, the color of the Ivorian national team. They are serving Ivorian dishes, playing music by Ivorian artists, and even sourcing ingredients from Ivorian suppliers, fostering a cultural exchange between Ireland and Ivory Coast.
To further embody the Ivorian spirit, Biddy Mulligans has replaced its usual Irish Guinness with African-brewed Guinness, reflecting the continent’s strong connection to the brand. As the pub gears up to support the Ivory Coast team during the World Cup, O’Neill anticipates a lively atmosphere, especially during the Ivory Coast’s matches.
Despite starting as a light-hearted joke, the transformation of Biddy Mulligans into an Ivorian-Irish pub has garnered significant attention and support, including interest from the Ivory Coast embassy in London. O’Neill expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response to what initially began as a playful idea, now transcending borders and cultural boundaries within the heart of Edinburgh.