behind the bar: corkbeg coffee
Like the winding road to Whitegate in East Cork, Gráinne Gormley’s journey to opening Corkbeg Coffee was full of twists and turns.
With a background in food and hospitality—including nine years running a café in Cork City and a stint at Ballymaloe Cookery School—Gráinne has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry.
Driven by passion, a sense of community, and some encouragement from friends and family, she has created a haven not just for herself and her team, but for the people of East Cork.
vaughan's pier, whitegate
the pier
Located on Vaughan’s Pier—a historic structure once used for coal deliveries—it fell into disrepair before local architect Andrew O’ Brien designed a custom-built, industrial-style building that now stands as a nominee for two categories in this year’s Building of the Year Awards.
When Andrew and his team opened submissions for potential uses of the space, Gráinne was initially reluctant. However, a business course through CCAD gave her the confidence to apply.
Her vision? A space for the community—a café where people could gather, local musicians could play, and artists could showcase their work. "I wanted to open it for the community so the community would have a hub," Gráinne explains.
That commitment to community ultimately led Gráinne to being chosen as the café’s operator, bringing her vision to life. With Bell Lane being a Certified B Corp, this emphasis and focus on community is something that resonates deeply with us.
a couple enjoy a coffee with a view
the coffee
From day one, Bell Lane coffee has been at the heart of Corkbeg Coffee’s success. Customers have embraced it enthusiastically, with some calling it the best coffee in East Cork.
Gráinne prioritises accessibility in her coffee offering—delivering a great coffee experience without unnecessary complexity. That philosophy led her to choose Bell Lane’s Brazilian coffee from Heron as her house coffee. She met the producer in 2023 when he visited Bell Lane, deepening her connection to the coffee’s origins.
Beyond serving coffee, Gráinne actively engages customers in the specialty coffee journey, with regulars now developing an appreciation for high-quality coffee. Gráinne often shares stories from the farm, frequently messaging Heron in Brazil to receive photos from the harvest and updates on his journey.
heron during his visit to bell lane coffee roasters
the community
Corkbeg Coffee has always been about more than just coffee—it’s a space for connection, creativity, and local talent.
local art: the café features rotating exhibitions from local artists and photographers, providing them with a space to display and sell their work
live music: singer-songwriter gigs take place in the summer, from both well-known musicians and Gráinne herself, an accomplished guitar player and singer
local food: everything on the menu is homemade by Jen or sourced locally, from the toasties and sausage rolls to the cakes baked in-house and gluten-free bakes from a certified kitchen in the village
This focus on community has been recognised with a nomination for a Social Impact Award, something that means a lot to Gráinne given her initial application.
local arts and crafts on display
the relationship
Bell Lane has played a key role beyond supplying coffee, offering hands-on support in equipment sourcing, training, and ongoing guidance.
Gráinne’s account manager, Gail Henshall, has been instrumental in the journey, helping her select the perfect coffee, machine, and grinder. “I could tell from day one she was passionate, and it’s such a joy to be working with someone like that,” says Gail.
Just as Bell Lane sources its green coffee with ethical, quality-driven values, Gráinne applies the same ethos to her café, ensuring that every cup represents Heron’s hard work.
The quality in every cup is as much a result of the barista serving as it is Heron’s hard work. For Gráinne, the heart of Corkbeg Coffee lies in her team. “Staff are vital—that’s the most important thing. The rest follows after,” she says. This is on display for everyone to see as Jen and Darragh work expertly in tandem behind the bar.
a selection of baked goods at corkbeg coffee
the future
The café has grown into a true community hub, with customers returning not just for great coffee, but for the atmosphere, the people, and the shared experiences.
The impact of the space was beautifully illustrated when two siblings in their eighties visited shortly after the café opened. “The last time we were here was when we were swimming off the pier in the 1950s,” one of them reminisced. “We’re just sitting here reminiscing. Thank you so much for that.”
If you ever find yourself in East Cork, make the detour—to chat, to sip coffee, to eat, or just to enjoy the incredible view.
