1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Historic Clare island pub closes down after 100 years
25 March 1998
By Tom Gillespie
One of the most historic landmarks on Clare Island, off the Mayo coast, McCabe's pub on the harbour, has closed down after over 100 years in business.
Proprietor, Bernard McCabe, said none of his family were interested in continuing in the pub business which his grandfather married into in 1890.
"I hated doing it", he said, "but I have other interests and my family do not want to follow in my footsteps. Anyway the major business was confined to just a few weeks in the summer."
The island's population of 160 will not be dry though. There is another licensed premises on the island, O'Grady's Bay View Hotel.
It is hoped that a bar licence will be granted to the new £360,000 community centre which is due to open on the outpost in September.
Mr McCabe said he would continue to provide non-alcoholic refreshments and toilet facilities to visitors until the community centre opened its doors.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1998
