Lily's has the authenticity others copy
ONE OF LOUTH'S OLDEST PUBS
The old world charm Finnegan's is retained of the interior of Lily
LILY Finnegan's in Whitestown, Carlingford is one of the oldest known public houses in Louth if not the country.
Officially it dates back to the early 1800s when it was known as ' Sloan's Bar' but it is thought it first opened its doors many years prior to that.
It was run by Kate Sloan (nee Finnegan) and over the years the pub was handed down through generation to generation of the Finnegan family, ending with Lily Finnegan taking control in the mid 1900s.
By this time the premises was known as ' The Premier Bar' and remained open until Lily became ill in the late 1980s.
Eager to keep the bar within the Finnegan family, Lily handed the pub down to her nephew John Pratt in 1992 and, after an extensive restoration and renovation the doors reopened again on March 16th 1993 as 'Lily Finnegans'.
The pub was leased out in 1997 to the local McGarrity family and Derek McGarrity took over the sole lease in 2001 and still trades today.
The original shelving, fireplaces, floor and ceilings are still intact and give the pub that genuine authenticity that so many newer premises have tried to re-create but have failed.
The numerous layers of paint on the white timber ceiling are quite visible and bear evidence to the 100s of years the building has stood.
The building comprises of a lounge bar with seating for approximately 50 people and a little snug out the back with seating for approximately 15 people, both with their own wonderfully welcoming open fires.
The charm of the pub is that with its small size and low ceilings it creates an atmosphere of it's own without a big crowd.
There is also seating outside the front of the pub, which is very popular with patrons to go outside and relax when the weather is good.
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