At night the brightly coloured bottles in the windows of Fintan O'Malleys light up the road outside and is the first pub seen for those making their way into Liskeard on the Dobwalls road.

'Fintan's' as it is fondly known could be the busiest pub in Liskeard during weekends, becoming so busy that the crowd spill into the beer garden, which it is claimed can hold as many people as the bar can.

Up to two and a half years ago 'Fintan's' was named 'The Albion Inn'.

History before 'The Albion Inn' is sketchy but includes an advertisement in the Liskeard Gazette and East Cornwall Advertiser in 1856: 'Now open at The Albion Inn, Dean Street, Liskeard. Phillips Photographic Portrait Salon, Likenesses from one shilling, taken in any weather.'

This was in the early days of photography, and was probably an itinerant coming over from Plymouth. It is not known who the licensee was at that time, but in 1861 it was Ann Hockaday, aged 55 when there were some 23 inns, taverns and hotels in Liskeard.

Much later in its history it was the property of D. Venning and son the brewers who had a brewery in Bay Tree Hill.

The current Landlord is Tom White, who has been with the owners, J. P. Leisure group for many years and lives in Saltash.

J. P. Leisure group chose the name and theme for this popular pub and acquired the many pictures and items in the pub from a warehouse in Oxford.

Tom arranges many activities at the pub, including karaoke on Sundays and live music on Thursday evenings. He organises various functions, and more recently a darts team who have started competing for this season only. Tom commented: 'The darts team is full of enthusiasm if not expertise!'

Fintan's also has in its possession a large screen television, used for sport, whenever it is on.

Fintan's has six bar staff all of whom are part time, including Robert White, Tom's son, who has been manager of J. P. Leisure group's 'The Carlton Suite' on Liskeard Parade for six months and is assistant manager of Fintan's. Thanks to these connections pub and club share staff during busy periods.

Employee Pam Owen has worked at Fintan's and at The Carlton Suite since August this year, she said: 'Fintan's has a good atmosphere and landlord.'

Fintan O'Malley's did serve food for some time but, unfortunately the menu was reduced in size and in the summer of 1998 it was stopped.

J. P. Leisure group sponsors Liskeard football team, who all go to Fintan's for a drink after a match and at any other time as well, as do the local rugby teams.

Fintan O'Malley's have been serving Sharp's Ales from Rock in North Cornwall for three months and the local drinks are now getting established. Tom also serves a selection of cocktails and has a cocktail evening about once a month where all the staff get dressed up and Tom 'slings a bottle or so around!'

Happy hour is all day on a selection of house drinks - as David O'Reilly said: 'It's a very happy hour every day!'

David has been coming to this pub on and off for about ten years, he said: 'I wasn't too keen on the new theme initially but that is a common thing with change. It hasn't changed the clientele, it's just different, but I do like the atmosphere and The Albion definitely needed something doing to it for many years.'

Like David, Adrian Prisk from Dobwalls calls in for a 'swift one' when he is in town and has been doing so for 10 to 15 years. Adrian said: 'It is better than what it was. I like the Irish theme, it makes a change from the usual in a pub. I find it is a very friendly pub - you can have a laugh and a joke with whoever comes in.'

This is just about the only pub Paul Mitchell uses when he goes into town, occasionally bringing his good natured dog 'Villain' in when they go for a walk.

Paul Jeffery works abroad and Fintan's is the only pub he comes to when he's home, even when out with his friends. Paul said: 'We visit other bars but this is my starting, middle and finishing point.'

He continued: 'Tom is a fantastic landlord and I get on very well with him, he's quite a character! Everybody and anybody has a chat when they come in. The added advantage is that I can bring my children in after we've been out for the day before we go home.'

Steve Fletcher and Emily Picton are regulars at Fintan's after work. They agreed: 'It's a good theme and a good atmosphere. When we've been here at weekends it does get packed out.'

The Cronin family arrived in the pub for a quick drink with their lunch bought from a nearby shop. They are coming to live in the Liskeard area soon. Dennis said: 'I'm Irish so this pub attracted me immediately.'

Julie, his wife and their son Ryan agreed that Fintan's has a really nice atmosphere and that it is useful that you can bring in food to eat while having a drink.

All in all the overwhelming response from all the customers, even newcomers to the area, is that Fintan's has a great atmosphere, it is a friendly pub and everyone is welcome.