AN IRISH community has been left devastated after a popular pub in the area closed its doors for the final time yesterday.
The Munster Bar on Bailey’s New Street in Waterford announced they were closing for good after and bid a farewell to their loyal customers at one final big night last night.
The Munster Bar, which the family say is possibly the oldest pub in the County, has served since 1853.
It was owned by the Fitzgerald family, who had run the business for three generations.
Peter Fitzgerald and his brothers decided this month that Easter Sunday would be their last day opening the pub after seven decades.
And the heartbroken owners admitted they were “bowled over” by a “wonderful gesture” from local director and musician David Hennessy last week.
The family said: “David called our family onstage and said some really poignant words, they will stick with us. We will miss seeing you all on the other side of the counter.”
The announcement was met with sadness from the local community and tourists who have spent great nights in the pub.
The family has managed to keep the doors open and lights on through the two major recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic, going against all odds.
The decision to close the pub was in the air for the past years due to the brothers’ age and how much the pub trade has changed over the last few years, mainly post-COVID.
The community has rushed to their social media to wish the Fitzgeralds luck in their future endeavours and shared some of their dearest memories at the pub throughout the decades.
One person commented: “A family that has added so much to the fabric of Waterford for many generations! Enjoy the well-deserved retirement and thank you for everything.”
Another person wrote: “Very sad to see this. Loved popping in for a quick pint during the interval of a show in the Theatre Royal.”
The third person added: “Communion and confirmation in there, family funerals and lunches in there and I worked there during the opera festival. Sad to see it go.”
One described it as the “end of an era” and a former employee added: “Best wishes. Super nice family and lovely people to work with.”
The future of the establishment and any potential businesses to take over the pub are currently unknown.
STARTING FROM SCRATCH
Separately, a much-loved restaurant is moving county to “start from scratch” after “extensive” storm damage last year.
Midleton faced a disastrous flood last October, which destroyed many beautiful homes and local businesses, including Farmgate Restaurant & Country Store.
Owners Marog and Sally O’Brien were forced to close their venue down due to “the severity of damage caused by the flood”.
It was a popular venue in Cork for its delicious and quality food since it first opened in 1983.
The owners said that it was “terribly sad” that their chapter in the beautiful town of Midleton had ended abruptly after running the business for four decades.
They thanked the public for their loyalty throughout the years and for the support they received during the disastrous times.