Old Commercial Bar in Ardglass celebrates 150th anniversary

Old Commercial Bar in Ardglass celebrates 150th anniversary

28 February 2018

AN iconic building in Ardglass is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The Old Commercial Bar in Kildare Street — or Mannie’s as it is affectionately known — has been a favourite watering hole for generations of families and visitors alike.

To mark the anniversary, a talk on The Old Commercial’s long history was delivered last Friday night.

Patrons and guests listened intently as local historian Michael Howland, Ethna and Ciara Van Vogt  recalled the history of The Old Commercial which has witnessed many changes in the village since it opened its doors for business.

As you enter the pub, there is a small window above the front door where the name Mulheron’s Hotel is etched, providing a clue to the origins of the business.

Joe Mulheron, who married Agnes Magee, was the grandfather of present owner Ronan Fitzsimons. But it was Ronan’s great-grandfather, John Magee, who was the first generation to set up business. 

The building itself was leased from William Ogilvie, the modern-day founder of Ardglass, as far back as 1821. In the early 1860s, John rented the premises from the then leaseholder, a businessman called Mr Gibson, and established a grocers’ shop.

A detailed history of The Old Commercial featured in the 2016 edition of the Harvest of History — a collection of memories, stories and photographs from the parish of Dunsford and Ardglass.

It reveals that from the early 19th century, the herring trade was increasing on the east coast of Co Down and when the new harbour was renovated in 1878, the growing numbers of fishermen prompted John to try and convert part of his shop into a bar.

Having the premises, John Magee wasted no time putting forward his application for a drinks licence. The Downpatrick Recorder reported that the application was supported by 

the solicitors Messrs Crawley and Gardner, while Messrs Harrison and Johnson opposed on behalf individuals in the town.

Police Constable Flaherty described the house for which the licence was sought as being “a spacious excellent dwelling and the furniture the best he had seen in any public house”. He gave it as his opinion that “such a house, kept by a man of such good character as the applicant, would be an advantage to the town”.

The chairman of the Bench, Robert Johnson, said: “It had been proved that this house would be very convenient for people resorting to Ardglass which had a most delightful harbour, but there appeared to be nothing done for this harbour and he would be sorry to see it going to decay.”

He added: “The house would be convenient for fishermen who were the persons upon whose town principally depended and whose accommodation should be provided for by houses of the deion of the one in question.

“The question the magistrates had to decide was not one of the private convenience of the individuals opposing the application, but of public utility and he confessed that since he came to the county he had not seen so strong a case made for any application and he did not see how the magistrates could refuse it.”

The application was granted. Interestingly, the number of bars in the area was increasing at this time and at the same session as The Old Commercial secured its licence, others were granted to the Spa Hotel in Ballynahinch and McGee’s Bar in Crossgar.