McNeill's Bar in Athlone marks 125 years of business
McNeills, located on Athlone's Connaught Street, celebrated 125 years of family business over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
“Four generations have strived to maintain a livelihood for our family and provide service to our community. This was not done alone,” McNeills wrote.
“There are generations of families who have helped and worked along with us in both good and hard times, and who have supported us over the years.”
Trad sessions, live bands, a DJ, music, and community support helped to mark the occasion. The family history at No 65 Connaught Street dates back to 1901.
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Harry Berry, Thomas Berry, Ciaran Gavin, Paula Dunning, Mickey Dunning, Arlene McNeill, Fergal Shine and John Gaynor during the Bank Holiday weekend celebrations.Image 3 of 6
Arlene McNeill, Nora Joyce and Melissa McNeill.Image 4 of 6
Mel Kenny, Padraig Moran, Ann Moran, Maura Moran and Colette Moran.Image 5 of 6
Arlene McNeill with Paul O’Shea whose grandmother Maura Doyle sold the premises to the McNeill family.Image 6 of 6
Trad music has always been part and parcel of McNeill’s Bar.In the Westmeath Independent of May 18, 1901, William McNeill, Connaught Street, announced that he had bought Mrs Doyle’s interest in the well-known ‘Spirit, Grocery and Provisions Store".
William McNeill was the son of Martin McNeill and Bridget Shine of Bloomhill, Ballinahown.
He died in Dublin, where he had since relocated, in October 1928. Prior to that, in August 1928, there was an application for a transfer of licence to Martin McNeill, William’s eldest brother.
Martin died in 1931 the licence was transferred to his widow, Margaret (née Flynn).
In 1946 Mrs Margaret McNeill relinquished control of the pub and the licence was transferred to her son John, who was an entrepreneur and local councillor, who ran an undertaker, road transport service, a garage and sawmills.
John McNeill Snr. died in October 1978 by which time his son, John and wife, Bridie, had expanded the pub and launched a number of other business interests in the town.
In January 2008, following his death, his daughter, Arlene took charge of the family business.