Restoration of historic Donegal pub to 'bring a bit of life' to street

The restoration of a historic pub in South West Donegal is “going to bring a bit of life” to Glencolmcille, said the lead developer, Michael Byrne.

Byrne, a local man from Malinmore who has served as a Chairperson for Naomh Columba GAA in Glencolmcille, hopes that the restored Biddy’s Crossroads Bar will be restored to its former glory and be open for regulars and visitors alike in Glencolmcille for the summer of 2027.

Biddy’s, a pub that had been closed in recent years before the commencement of the restoration, was originally opened over 200 years ago and was famed locally for its music. Byrne hopes to regain those old times. He remembered: “In the summertime, it was a pub that brought a lot of life to the street. It is the first building you meet at Glencolmcille.

“When you come down the hill and see this derelict building, it is not a nice sight, whereas now there are going to be people, cars, and the beer garden. It is going to bring a bit of life to Glencolmcille.”

Byrne has experience of redeveloping properties in Donegal, and he decided to act when Biddy’s hadn’t been snapped up on the market. When asked why he wanted to redevelop Biddy’s, he said: “I suppose a few reasons, to be honest.

“We have restored quite a few places around South West Donegal. We have a guesthouse in Carrick; we have taken an old building back and turned it into an office and a few houses that were also derelict.

“I like doing it, and you can see potential, even though rural Ireland has changed.

“We are actually a construction recruitment business, but we also have a development and contracting business, predominantly around Donegal. I suppose that is where the building elements come from, and I saw Biddy’s potential.

“It is not just a bar, but I am also doing glamping pods. The bar will be serving food and drink. It is a large renovation. I am wrapping Biddy’s with a new Biddy’s, but we are keeping the old Biddy’s.”

Byrne, who had left Glencolmcille to go to college when he was 18, grew up in the area during the eighties and nineties. The area therefore holds a special meaning for him.

“I grew up with Glencolmcille Hotel and Biddy’s,” said Byrne. “A lot of these types of places now, you go to these villages in Ireland, and everything is condensed to the basics with one shop and pub.

“My memories in the eighties would be going in occasionally with my dad. In the nineties, when I was in my teens, I started going out more and to the Irish College. I played football with Naomh Columba, so after a match, the first port of call was Biddy’s.

“The Irish College, which is still continuing in Glencolmcille, and the fiddle music, all revolved around Biddy’s. That was the hub.”

Byrne continued: “The reaction has been very positive because everyone has similar memories to me, with their fathers and parents, or people standing outside.

“All going well. I am hoping to be open to the public next summer.”

An Instagram page entitled ‘biddysbar’ is public to follow, detailing the restoration of Glencolmcille’s famous Biddy’s Crossroad Bar.