Newly refurbished Porters Bar
LOCATED on the scenic roads of Killenagh, is family-run business Porters Bar that has been situated there since 1820. The family-friendly bar suffered some fire damage last August, but has since been newly refurbished by current owner Simon Besanson and wife Orla. The couple have been busy ever since with the bar, especially since the new arrival of their baby daughter Grace.
There are many stories hidden in the walls of this historic building, which was first occupied by the Rothwell family who were granted their sale of alcohol license in 1820. Back then, it was a thatched pub and residence for the Rothwell family.
During sometime after this, Simon’s great-uncle Fleetwood Porter, and his wife Sarah, were left the business by Fleet’s mother. In the meantime, it was renamed Porters Bar Killenagh.
The owners Fleet and Sarah moved into the bar, but after a short time the thatched roof collapsed and all the neighbours came together to rebuild it in 1935.
His great-uncle Fleet became very ill and Simon’s father Thomas, who was 16-years old at the time, jumped on board to give a helping hand in 1969. His father worked in Porters from then onwards.
Thomas and Sarah ran the bar for Fleet and in February, 1969 Fleet sadly passed away. Sarah left the bar to Thomas in 1999. He took over Porters Bar with his wife Naomi and ran a very successful business for 30 years.
In 2014, Simon took over the family business from his father Thomas and his mother Naomi. Thomas and Naomi are still involved in the background and are of big help to Simon.
Simon and wife Orla had a lucky escape with the fire in August 2017, but Simon saw this as a great opportunity to revamp the bar. It has since been refurbished, but still has its traditional Irish bar feeling.
They re-opened the bar in December 2017, and a large crowd gathered inside. Such was the extent that special guest Tony Doran did not have room to cut the ribbon.
The bar boasts great packages for special occasions, such as communions, confirmations, birthday parties, christenings, day-after wedding celebrations and much more.
Most Saturday evening’s the bar is a hive of activity for live musical entertainment from talented bands and individuals.
They have an extensive gin menu which has more than 20 gins, and hold a Gin of the Month promotion. But the pint of Guinness is what Porters is famous for.
The bar has four flat-screen televisions – 60, 52, and two 40 inch screens, to cater for the sports channels which show live coverage of the matches.
The pool table is constantly in use in the bar, as Porters have a team in the Gorey District League and hope to have two teams in it next year.
Follow ‘Porters Bar Killenagh’ on Facebook for constant updates or call Simon on 083 175 6168 if you have any queries.
Simon would like to thank his hard working staff Zara, Lorraine, Gemma and Eoin and everyone who helped with the clean-up and restoration, especially his parents Thomas and Naomi, and the main contractor Paul Corbett.