Roy Keane Shout-Out Spurs Record-Breaking Holiday Rush for Cork’s Beloved Sweet Shop

Cork’s cherished sweet shop, Shandon Sweets, is set for its busiest holiday season yet, thanks to a rave review from football icon Roy Keane. While recording an episode of The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Keane distributed the shop’s renowned boiled sweets, attracting significant attention.

Sweet Shop Gains Popularity

The touching moment was captured and shared on social media. In the clip, Keane proudly highlights the traditional sweets from “a famous shop in Cork” to his podcast co-host Jill Scott and the crew. This endorsement has sparked a notable increase in demand for Shandon Sweets, located on John Redmond Street in the Shandon area of Cork.

Tradition and Quality

Managed by Tony Linehan, Shandon Sweets has a rich history of nearly 100 years. The shop specializes in classic boiled sweets made from simple ingredients like sugar, water, and glucose. Popular varieties include:

• Clove rocks
• Pear drops
• Bullseyes
• Apple drops

Linehan expressed his excitement about the recent surge in online orders, especially after Keane’s endorsement. “What I thought would be a quiet November is now our busiest ever,” he stated. Many orders poured in at unusual hours, even as late as 3 AM. With ample stock available, he feels prepared for the upcoming Christmas rush.

Community Connection

Keane’s frequent visits to the shop underscore its significance in the community. Linehan, who took over the family business from his father five years ago, remarked on the emotional connection residents have with Shandon Sweets. “It’s a part of the fabric of Cork,” he noted. Starting from his grandfather, Jimmy, the tradition of keeping operations small and quality high continues to resonate with customers.

Linehan emphasized the importance of maintaining the shop’s unique identity, saying, “We keep it nice and small, but one thing I always do is keep a quality product.” This commitment to quality helps ensure that Shandon Sweets remains an integral part of Cork’s history and culture.