One of Donegal’s best-known pubs has called time on its customers and closed its doors forever.
McClafferty’s Bar of Churchill has held the license in its family and has been serving the public for the past 124 years.
But current owner Charlie McClafferty has pulled his last pint in the famous bar citing a general downturn in the bar trade.
The license for the premises has instead been transferred to the soon-to-be-opened Carry Out off-license which is located opposite Domino’s Pizza on the previous location of McBride’s Bookmakers.
The off-license will open on November 1st after Judge Paul Kelly agreed to extinguish the current license for McClafferty’s Bar and transfer it to the new off-license premises which will be run by Mr Charlie McClafferty.
Writing on the pub’s Facebook page this week, Mr McClafferty said it was the end of an era for his family and the locality.
“It’s with great sadness and deep consideration that we have decided to close the bar permanently. Some magnificent nights were had here and we will cherish those memories forever. Monday the 31st of October will be our last night open. We would like to thank all of you who have graced our door since the bar opened in 1892. Thank you all very much for your custom from all here at McClafferty’s. ”
The McClafferty family are held in high regard in the Churchill area and their association with the local Glenswilly GAA club, of which they have been the main sponsor for many years, has ben deeply appreciated by the club.
Indeed, upon receiving the Dr Maguire Cup for the third time in five years recently, the footballers of Glenswilly were heard to sing “Charlie, fill the cup”, a reference to Mr McClafferty and his generosity.
