Launch of a new book on the history of pubs in Letterkenny

A new book covering the history of the pubs and hotels in the town of Letterkenny going back 200 years will be launched on Wednesday, June at 29, 7pm in the Regional Cultural Centre.

Written by Kieran Kelly, the book is entitled “One For The Road” and covers two centuries of the town’s various pubs and hotels going back to the earliest records from 1824.

“The earliest records we have that show the businesses of the town (including the names of publicans and hoteliers) come from Pigot’s Directory of 1824,” explains the author, “and it just so happens that this year is two hundred years from that, so it’s a nice round number and a good time to release the book!” 

Kieran has previously written two local history books on the town, “Letterkenny: Where The Winding Swilly Flows” in 2014 and “Then Again: The Past and Present of Letterkenny Town” in 2020. “This is the third part of the trilogy, so to speak,” he says, “but this time, I wanted to write not just a general view of the history of the town, but instead to focus on an important aspect in the town’s growth and development – the role of the pub and hotel, and specifically those who ran them.”

Kieran explains his reasons for writing this particular book. “The local pub can be many different things to many people depending on their own point of view. It could be their place of work or where they met their partner. It could be where they watch their favourite sports team or maybe it’s the place they no longer go to, for various reasons. However, to many people, it is, and always has been, a place where they can meet and connect with their friends. A place where they can socialise and catch up on all the latest news, gossip and banter – even if it’s not true!”

He continues, “For centuries, the pub has become a pillar of the Irish community, just as much as the local church or GAA club. There’s a reason why so many soap operas on television or plays on stage have a pub at the centre of them – a Rovers Return, a Queen Vic or even a Cheers! – it’s where people meet and things happen…where everybody knows your name! Deals are made at a bar counter; business transactions are discussed in a snug. Weddings, birthdays, communions, confirmations, wakes and funerals all typically involve the local pub in some capacity. And so, for these and other reasons, the local pub serves as an important place in bringing the people of the town together and throughout its history, it always has.”

Using archival records of commercial directories, censuses, land valuation records, newspaper archives and interviews with several people, Kieran was able to piece together a vast interwoven history of all the pubs and hotels that have been in the town over the last two centuries. All of this is complemented by a huge amount of photographs, kindly used with permission by many people who sent them to him and something that he acknowledges helps bring the book to life.

“I could not have done the book without people kindly sharing these photos with me. I didn’t want the book to just be facts and figures. It’s important to show the social life in the pubs, the enjoyment so many people had in them. Especially in the pubs that are now no longer here. Whether it be Sweeney’s or McClafferty’s, The Continental or The Old Spirit Bar…these places are now no longer just memories for people. This book is now a permanent record for all of these pubs and especially highlighting who ran them. They existed, and now we’ll always know about them.”

“One For The Road” will be launched on Wednesday 19th June at 7pm in the Regional Cultural Centre and all are welcome to attend. There will be live music on the night with complimentary food and drink. Following the launch, the book will be available in local bookshops and also online at www.letterkennyhistory.com.