Rural bar marks two centuries of quenching thirst in the Sperrins

JUST before the first lockdown, Patrick Donaghue and his partner, Tracey Teague, took over management of Eddie’s bar – a venue they recognised as being at the heart of the Greencastle community.

However, while they were aware of the central role the rustic pub played in the social life of the village, they didn’t realise how deep its the historical roots ran.

Unbeknown to Patrick and Tracey, two full centuries had almost elapsed since Eddie’s first quenched the thirst of a Greencastle man.

Before Damien O’Neill recently bought Eddie’s and leased it to Patrick and Tracey, it had been in the hands of Martin Eddie McCullagh’s family for three generations, first established by his grandfather in 1821.

Tracey said, “It was only a few weeks ago that it came to our attention that this seismic moment in Eddie’s history was just around the corner.”

Like the husband who is informed by his wife that their wedding anniversary will have arrived when he wakes, the couple smiled grimly before rushing away to begin preparations.

“To mark the momentous occasion, we organised a celebration geared towards family, and it just so happened that Eddie’s anniversary serendipitously aligned with the visit of two of Tyrone’s recent All-Ireland winners,” said Tracey.

And so, on Sunday, September 19, high in the Sperrins where the air is thinner and the fog is thicker, an almighty shin-dig was thrown; and there was a All-Ireland-winning Tyrone player there for each century Eddie’s has been open.

The family affair offered something for all ages; there was a bbq and bouncy castles; a balloon modeller and a live band; and
Cathal McShane and August’s footballer of the month, Kieran McGeary.

“Kieran and Cathal arrived like travelling kings, minus the airs and graces of course,” said Tracey.

“The two of them were lovely – they stood for pictures and signed autographs with smiling faces all day.

“There was a great excitement to have them with us on such a special day.

“The bar was filled with people of different generations – the whole thing was such a success that it has inspired another idea to a celebrate the bar’s history in the community.

“When we have the chance, we are going to invite Martin Eddie down, along with staff and regulars from over the years, and have a night of acknowledgement of their contribution to the pub and the Greencastle community.”