Henry Conlon landlord of the Dublin Castle in Camden Town has paid tribute to friend and fellow publican Mick Doheny who died last week.

“Mick Doheny, landlord of The World’s End pub and the Underworld night club was one of the few remaining traditional Irish publicans that remain in Camden Town. He loved the town, he loved its people and he lived the experience of it as much as he possibly could right up until his final moments last Thursday when Camden Town lost another of its infamous characters.

Mick knew many of the people of our town as he mingled with the most of them, drank beside them, listened to their quips, woes and stories and added his own to pass on. He held a strong position within the Irish community and was often the source of communication for others to discover community news or issues. He was often there to listen, to help and to dedicate his time, support and to pass on his knowledge on how to overcome many community issues.

Some would argue that he was highly opinionated. I would suggest that he was well spoken and highly articulate, I often heard him speak in depth on just about any topic and he had his own point of view which he freely put forward. Mick enjoyed the gastronomic delights of Camden Town’s pubs and restaurants. If Mick was eating or drinking at your premises you knew that what you were serving was surely fairly decent.

Mick couldn’t be taken for granted, his appearance alone was often the topic of conversation as he sometimes went “undercover” upon his trips around town. During one period while sporting a long beard, which he had allowed to grey, he found himself being told to move along from outside his own pub, The World’s End, as the PCSO wasn’t convinced he was the licensee of the establishment. I think he was keen to be part of the story and folklore of our town.

For 10 years Mick Doheny held the unenviable position as the chairman of Camden’s Inner London Licensees Association (CILLA). Often lending an ear to the woes of publicans, restaurant owners and bar operators while challenging the local authority, for instance. During this difficult period he had to address and advise others with the change in licensing laws and policy within Camden.

Mick Doheny was influential in many of his approaches amongst which he took the bold step to grant the support of CILLA to Camden Town Unlimited in order to establish the Business Improvement District (BID).

This in turn cut crime and the fear of crime in Camden Town. It enhanced the physical environment and promoted the area. These were many virtues that Mick held close to his heart.

He took great enjoyment from listening to traditional Irish music and had a love of Gaelic Athletic Association sports especially, having visited Ireland in September to celebrate Kilkenny winning the all-Ireland hurling final.

Mick raised many thousands of pounds for charities through the CILLA ball each year at the Camden Irish centre. He was a great supporter of the Aisling return to Ireland project, which amongst other things reaches out to the vulnerable, the isolated and those alone. Aisling also help long-term emigrants reconnect with their families and friends by bringing elderly Irish people back home to visit their native land.

Mick will be sorely missed, by many parts of the community and will leave his own legacy behind. Many conversations will be less colourful without him. If only we all had a chance to thank him and to have said goodbye.”

Henry Conlon (Vice chairman of CILLA)