Viewers left in tears as a heartwarming Christmas advert for a pub in Northern Ireland features a lonely older man who finally finds companionship – and says it gives John Lewis ‘value for money’

A heartwarming Christmas advert from a pub in Northern Ireland has left viewers in tears as they say it gives John Lewis ‘value for money’.

The video, from Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, tells the story of a lonely elderly gentleman who finds companionship in two friendly strangers after their adorable dog brings them together.

The clip has more than 16,400 likes Instagramviewed more than 1 million times on X, and is ready for a moving rendition of Birdy’s People Help the People.

It opens with a shot of an elderly man walking to the cemetery to visit a grave, where he has a moment of reflection as he lays down some flowers.

We then see him walking along the road, hoping for a friendly face or a chat, only to be turned away into the busy noise of people engrossed in their own lives.

In one instance, two girls walk past him while laughing together. Elsewhere, a man reading a newspaper lifts it higher to avoid talking to him.

A young couple with a dog then walks past, only to see their dog being tempted by a pub on the street: Charlie’s Bar.

They decide to go in and hold the door open for the old man – who happily accepts and enters the cozy watering hole.

He sits down alone to enjoy a pint of Guinness, while the pair from earlier get a drink at the bar.

But soon their adorable four-legged friend runs to the man who is sitting alone.

He welcomes the enthusiastic company and pets the dog while letting him sit next to him.

The couple, delighted with their friendly pet, asks if they can sit with the man – to which he happily agrees, and the trio enjoy cheerful conversation together.

The sweet video – filmed and edited by Aoife Teague – ends with a quote from WB Yeats’s poem: ‘There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.’

‘Christmas can be such a joyful time for some and painfully difficult for others. One thing is certain: you will always be warmly welcomed when you enter our home,” the caption reads.

‘We are open on Christmas Day, so if you are alone this holiday season, feel free to drop by for a chat.’

The clip has attracted hundreds of comments, with people admitting they shed tears and praised the heartwarming message.

“No, why did this make me cry,” one person wrote.

“I, who am definitely not a crier, definitely cried at this,” a second admitted. ‘Elderly people are my absolute weakness. Christmas is a very difficult day for many, it is important to take into account those who are alone. Especially if they had a death this year.”

Another praised: “Beautifully done and what a great message.”

Others said the advert will give John Lewis’ Venus Fly-trap 2022 campaign ‘value for money’.

Elsewhere, one comment said: ‘I can’t believe I’m crying at an advert for a pub! This is brilliant.’

“Amazing and what a message that reminds people to wake up and be aware of the people around them,” another commented.

‘A big hello and smile can make someone’s day and don’t be afraid to chat to strangers… especially our older generation.’

Charlie’s Bar calls itself an ‘Irish Traditional Live Music Pub’ and has over 23,900 followers on Instagram.

It also boasts a host of awards including Community Pub of the Year ’23, Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award ’22 & ’23 and Ulster Pub of the Year ’22.

According to its website, the pub opened in 1944 and is ‘the oldest family-owned bar in the city, now in its third generation’.

They boast a ‘warm, traditional, friendly atmosphere’ and promise guests a ‘real Fermanagh welcome’.