The Sweeney family and Francos’s restaurant have been an integral part of the fabric of Enniskillen for best part of four decades.
First opened by Betty and Frank Sweeney in 1986, the Italian themed establishment was one of the first of its kind in the Co Fermanagh town.
While Frank sadly passed away eight years after opening, wife Betty still checks in on things now, although sons Ruairi, Gavin and Emmet now work in the restaurant.
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Speaking to MyFermanagh, Betty says while there have been many changes in the town and the hospitality industry over the years, one thing always holds true.
“You need a bit of authenticity, if you’re going to offer something it must be the real deal,” Betty said.
“There’s always the temptation to take shortcuts but you need to give people the real deal, people sense if you’re not giving them that.
“You need a passion for food, which Frank and myself had. The family have inherited that.
“My husband Frank and myself set it up in 1986, opening as a pizzeria and a seafood bar.
“We were making our own pizzas then and collecting our own seafood in places like Donegal, Mullaghmore and Galway.
“It was an old building, part of which had been a forge on Lower Water Street, one of the oldest streets in Enniskillen.
“Frank designed the place and he would have used a lot of recycled wood, and he would get it from old houses and chapels.
“He bought half a chapel once in Wales and used the pulpit from it for part of the restaurant.
“We were trying to set up as informal eating place with a continental feel.
Franco’s has evolved with the changing times over the years, Betty added. The 79-year-old is now retired but she still pops in regularly to check on its progress and catch up with old friends.
“My husband sadly died about eight years after we opened the restaurant but it has evolved over the years since then.
“Our sons Ruairi, Gavin and Emmet still work in the restaurant, there is still a big family involvement.
“I’ve been around a long time, I’ve been easing out this last few years.
“I still call in, I live beside the restaurant so I can look across and see what is happening.
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“I come in and chat to a lot of the people who come in that I’d be friendly with, I love going in and meeting people now that we’re allowed to do that again.
“We’re delighted to be back after lockdown, and thanks to those customers who have kept coming back.
“We have seen several generations of people coming in all the time, and people from all over Ireland coming in.
“The staff that have been with us over the years have been integral to our success as well.
Betty says the Sweeneys are a proud Co Fermanagh family and they love to see new eateries opening up in the county, as it keeps everyone on their toes.
She added: “There is a lovely feel to this town, being on the water and being on an island town.
“Like many people here we are privileged to live in it to be honest.”
“The saddest thing is that a lot of family businesses have gone, it’s sad to see that happening in the town.
“But a lot of family businesses are still left and we have a town which is full of smashing restaurants, coffee shops and pubs and most of them are locally owned."
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