by Dr. Iain
Corness
Paul Ryan is a young Irishman who is literally reaching
for the stars, being an investor in the new Stars Bar and Restaurant in
Pattaya. Coming from a close-knit Irish family that can trace its roots in
the mother country back to 1610, just how did he decide to come and live
in Pattaya?
Right from the outset, even if you ignored his Irish
brogue, when you hear that he was born in Limerick, you would know he is
Irish - and that’s the Republic of Ireland he hastened to tell me.
Paul
was the second youngest in the family, with three brothers and three
sisters making seven children, a medium sized family in a strong Irish
Catholic community. He was educated in Limerick too, going through to his
A levels. “I was an average student, but I was very happy to be out of
it.”
In those days the young students either went to
University or joined the bank, the civil service or went into the computer
factories or other workplaces. Paul took the latter route, working in a
factory making aluminium window frames. This was not much to his liking
but he also took a night job working in a hotel and found the hospitality
industry suited him much better, so after 4 months he quit the windows
business. “This was my introduction to the restaurant and bar
business.”
Following on from this, he moved to London when he was
21 years old to experience the many facets of the hospitality business.
“I did everything - barman, waiter, any jobs available. I just went
along with the flow. I don’t regret a minute of it. I became jack of all
trades and master of none,” he said with a huge grin.
To become the master of none, Paul had spent 8 years in
London, but by then he was yearning for Ireland, so he returned to the
emerald isle and began working in the promotions industry for clubs. After
one year of this he gained financial backing and the opportunity to build
his own club, which he did, producing one of the largest and most
successful clubs in western Ireland. “It was one of the best run clubs
in the country. The leader in innovations and entertainment.” The reason
for its success Paul ascribes to the fact that, “I believe that
everything has to be done perfect, to the customer’s satisfaction.”
Despite this, Paul denies being a perfectionist. “I
wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist - but I have standards. I make things
to the standard I would expect.” He does admit though that, “My
standards are higher than the average.” Plus the wonderful, “If I
could have done it better, I would have done it better!”
During the 8 years that he was running his club to his
high standards he became bitten by the travel bug, and Asia became the
prime place for his holidays - and in particular, Thailand. “It’s the
safest country in Asia. Bangkok is an easy hub to work out of. If you want
to live in a hot country - what better place?”
Being true to his word, since he had not found a better
place, he came out here to live in Thailand, even though he missed the
close “family” life in Ireland. He chose Pattaya as Phuket was too
isolated and in addition Pattaya had not only the cooler climate but also
the proximity to Bangkok. This was after he had toured all over this
country, doing what he called “Learning to relax.”
His decision to become involved here with the Stars Bar
and Restaurant was driven by that old real estate dictum - location,
location, location. “I swore I’d never get involved again (in the
hospitality business) but when I saw the location!” (For those who are
unaware of Stars, it is on the 23rd floor of Pattaya Hill Resort.)
His definition of success is very simple, “Food on
the table.” He expounded further, “I work to live, not live to work. I
like to enjoy my life and take the best out of it.” His advice to young
people setting off on life’s great adventures, who have ideas on running
a club, bar or restaurant was a strong, “Never listen to people telling
you what to do. If you conceive an idea then stick to it. Too many places
(and people) lose their direction.”
Now almost 40 years of age, Paul is still single. “I
think it’s the nature of the business I was in. In the hospitality
industry it is difficult to keep relationships because it is so
anti-social.” An interesting comment on the most “social” of
occupations, which ends up being the reverse for those who are engaged in
it.
Paul has a simple ambition too, “To have a happy
life.” When I asked him what made him “happy” he replied, “It’s
back to food on the table! I have simple needs. I live in a comfortable
environment and I’m never bored.”
So we welcome a true Irishman in our midst. “Oh yes,
I’m Irish through and through. I’m very proud of my Irish heritage.”
A young man who has vision and talent for design (wait till you see the
decor in Stars) and has made Pattaya his home.
Since Paul’s home Limerick is also the home of the
poetic genre of the same name, I felt it would be appropriate to finish
with a little doggerel of my own - and with all apologies to Paul Ryan.
There was a young man called Paul,
Who to life gave of his all,
He’s journeyed thus far,
While heading to the Star(s)
And on the way just having a ball!
