New face and old name at Neligan’s

WITH a new proprietor and the old name restored over the door, Neligan’s pub on Main

Street, Dingle, was relaunched on Saturday with a night of music, song, the best of craic and a very full house.

The pub operated as ‘The

Mighty Session’ in recent years but last month Dara Herlihy took over the lease and the Mighty Session sign was taken down, revealing the name ‘M Neligan’ underneath. The Neligan family have owned the premises for generations and Dara thought it was a perfectly good name for the pub, so Neligan’s is Neligan’s once again.

Dara said he has enjoyed phenomenal support since opening the pub and especially on Saturday night when Polcaí 4 provided the music and the place was packed to the door.

Dara brings a wealth of experience of the hospitality business to the pub, having worked in hotel management for 10 years, followed by two years as manager of a gastro pub and a restaurant in Clonakilty. In 2011 he opened Siopa Ceoil an Daingin in The Colony with his father, Michael, and meanwhile works as a tour guide with Rick Steves.

With strong music connections, particularly through the Begleys, Dara’s plan for the pub is simple: a good atmosphere and traditional Irish music seven nights a week. If Saturday’s opening was anything to go by, it looks like they’ll be busy nights.

Dara Herlihy with Mary Black at the official opening of Neligan’s pub on Saturday night.