Viral Northern Ireland pub returns with touching Christmas advert about grief

Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen has created the advert following the success of its viral video in 2023.

The co-owner of a Northern Ireland pub which went viral for its Christmas advert last year is back with a new one encouraging people to “cherish” their loved ones.

Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, returned on Friday with the advert showing an upset elderly woman reading a handwritten letter from her late husband, featuring black and white overlays of her memories with him, before sitting with her son and granddaughter at the bar.

The letter was written from the perspective of the husband before his death as he shares memories about his family.

Una Burns, 33, who is also manager of Charlie’s Bar, said this year she wanted the advert to share a message about looking out for those who might be dealing with grief during the festive period.

“It was based on stories I’ve heard over the years working in the bar and customers’ experiences, it is always evident to us on Christmas Day, that Christmas isn’t always a happy, joyous time for people, and it can be tainted with sadness, and particularly for people who have experienced grief,” Ms Burns told the PA news agency.

An elderly woman sat on her sofa and looking down at a handwritten letter — The advert shows an elderly woman reading a letter written by her husband before he died (Meagan Daley/PA)

“Likewise, if you know somebody that doesn’t have a loved one with them this Christmas if you can look out for them, go round and have a cup of tea with them, to spend a little time because this could be a really difficult time for people.”

She hopes the new advert will allow people to “forget about the idea of presents and monetary gifts” instead focusing on being present with loved ones.

The advert features a voiceover as the lady reads the letter, which is spoken by the main star from last year’s viral video.

“All of (the people in the advert) are local. They have been in the bar as well, so they’re known to me,” Ms Burns explained.

Black and white image of a family of four enjoying a pint at the pub — Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen wants to share a message about tending to loved ones dealing with grief over the festive period (Meagan Daley/PA)

She said she has been “brought to tears” after members of the community shared messages about their grief, adding people have been inspired to contact their grandparents encouraging them to share a letter to their grandchildren before they die.

“Somebody said that it’s actually made them contact their grandad to write the grandkids letters, now that he can and he has his sense of humour still, because he won’t be able to see them walk down the aisles,” she said.

“To think just having watched a minute-and-a-half video that she’s now going to get that done and that’s something her family will have.”

A blonde woman smiling while pulling a pint behind the bar of an Irish pub — Una Burns, co-owner of Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, hopes to create a Christmas advert every year (Charlie’s Bar Enniskillen/PA)

“Pubs can get a lot of bad press but times like this you take it for granted sometimes the impact that you can have,” she said.

“Even pubs in general they can be a source of comfort and solace for people to meet up and to share stories, and even just for people who are otherwise on their own to come in and speak to somebody.

“It’s a reminder to me why we do the job that we do.”