Roy Keane's Sweet Support Revives Cork Candy Shop

Roy Keane, the former Manchester United captain, highlighted Shandon Sweets of Cork city on his podcast, prompting a surge in summer sales for the family-run business. Tony Linehan, the current owner, noted an immediate increase in customers upon his return from holiday, with queues forming outside the shop despite the warm weather. This isn’t the first time Keane’s support has boosted business, as a similar shout-out last November led to the shop’s busiest season ever.

Linehan, who took over from his father in 2020, attributes the success to the shop’s history and the nostalgic appeal of its handmade sweets, particularly for Italian tourists who appreciate traditional craftsmanship. The recent publicity follows a difficult period for Shandon Sweets, which faced closure due to the pandemic and a subsequent fire. Linehan now recognizes the power of influencer marketing, noting that Keane’s mentions provide valuable exposure.

The shop has served multiple generations of customers, with great-grandparents now bringing their families to enjoy the same sweets they did as children. Linehan hopes Keane will visit again soon, continuing a tradition of support dating back to when Keane would purchase sweets for his mother, a friend of Linehan’s father.