Landmark Kilcormac pub changes hands after 100 years

One of Offaly's oldest family run pubs, Feighery's in Kilcormac, is changing hands next week.

In a post on its Facebook page this week, the family said that with “mixed emotions we have decided to finish up in the pub trade, a trade that has given us so much over the past century”.

“To all our great customers and friends we have made, to strangers who became friends. Our house was always one to celebrate any occasion, a meeting place, a place where we welcomed all our customers, and thank all those who celebrated parties, milestones, births and celebrations, and mourned the ones we lost along the way together.

“To all the clubs and societies that had meetings, fundraisers, and social occassions, we enjoyed so much celebrating your successes, listening to the post mortems on the days things didnt go to plan, we thank you for all the memories we enjoyed with you all along the way.

“To the musicians, who showed up last minute, who played sessions, who entertained any functions needed, you added so much to the vibrancy and atmosphere that makes the Irish pub so much a part of what is our culture, we thank you and wish you continued success.

“To our staff, whether it was for a few weeks over the summer holidays, rowing in on a busy weekend, or to those that we always had an affinity with what is Feighery's Bar, we can never thank you enough for the help you provided and the friendships that built to last a lifetime.

“Nothing lasts forever, and all that remains for us is to wish the new owners the very best success and hope their future brings as many great memories and friendships for them to cherish, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time and we will miss it. But we will now join you the other side of the counter!”

Tributes poured in for the Feighery family on social media this week following the announcement. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Cllr John Leahy paid tribute to the Feighery family for their contribution to community and commercial life in Kilcormac over the last 100 years.

Describing the pub as a “landmark”, he said that the pub was popular with Bord na Mona workers in the past with many dropping in on Friday evening to cash their cheques and have a few pints after a hard week on the bog.

In their Facebook post, the Feighery family said that this weekend, which will be their last running the pub, will be one of “nostalgia, telling stories, having fun, and celebrating all our times together”.