Dublin pubs: New Irish bar opens in historic city centre building with 1916 history

A new bar has landed in Dublin city centre with everything to offer from rich history to delicious food.

Meaghers Bar at 3, Eden Quay opened earlier this year and serves traditional Irish food such as seafood chowder and Shepard’s pie.

The building was purchased by the Meaghers family back in 2018, who are three generations of Dublin business owners and own famous Dublin pubs the River Bar and Hartstown House.

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The pandemic delayed their plans to get the pub up and running but Meaghers finally opened its doors in February.

The building has history dating back a century and was also home to popular Dublin pub The Horse and Tram from the 1980’s until the early 2000’s.

Staff member Gemma Ashling Kavanagh spoke to Dublin Live about the pub’s rich history.

“The building actually has history going back to 1916,” she said.

“So when the Rising was happening, one of the ships came up and parked outside and it was these two buildings that were almost destroyed.

“Half of the building was actually blown up and the other half was left okay.

“So we still have the original murals and bricks on one side and obviously the other side had to be refurbished.”

Gemma said that in around 1980 the building was turned into what was known as ‘The Horse and Tram’.

“It was very popular back in the day,” she said.

“We have so many customers coming in and telling us how it was really popular with journalists at the time. They’d all meet up in here.

“There was a story about how a group of them came in here and they were organising a protest for wages.

“It was just one of those places you’d come to and there’d be meetings going on.

“So that was until 2001, when it was sold.”

The pub is run by Tom and Michael Meagher, whose father Tom was a regular in The Horse and Tram back in the 1980’s.

Gemma said: “He used to drink here and was friends with the people who owned it so he’d come in and do shifts as well.

“It really meant a lot to the family to be able to reopen it.”

Gemma said that business has been booming since opening up in February and their traditional Irish food has been a “big hit”.

She said: “We’re shocked at how well it has gone so far.

“The food is a big hit. We had two guys who came over from Germany and they’d seen a review about our Irish chowder.

“They were over for five days and they came in everyday and had the chowder. They’ve even sent us postcards since they’ve gone home.

“There’s people who used to be regulars in the 1980’s who are coming back in now.”

The pub has kept much of its character from its predecessor The Horse and Tram.

Gemma said: “While being refurbished, Meaghers has kept on to its traditional Irish aesthetic by keeping original windows and mosaic flooring from the 80’s.

“The traditional Irish feeling is hard to miss from the Irish music playing inside and outside as well as its snug and holding onto its 1916 memorabilia and décor.”

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