The iconic JJ Devine’s Pub, as featured in the Oscar-nominated Banshees of Inisherin, has been restored and was unveiled last Friday at its new location, Mee’s Bar in Kilkerrin, east Galway.
The pub, which was created by the film’s prop department, was purpose-built in Cloughmore on Achill Island. It was built using temporary materials so that it could be taken down once the project ended.
The disassembled set remained untouched in a yard close to the set upon the conclusion of filming in October 2021. That was until Kilkerrin native and publican Luke Mee retrieved it and restored it to its former glory.
Mee was given the go-ahead to take the disassembled pub from Achill, and with a little help from friends, brought it on the 180-kilometre to Kilkerrin.
Mee, who also runs Mee’s XL Stores/Applegreen in Kilkerrin, Knockcroghery and Ballymoe with other family members, and whose wife hails from close to where Banshees of Inisherin was filmed, said the restoration wouldn’t have been possible without the help of ‘family, good friends and neighbours’.
He also promised JJ Devines’ superfan and global music star Taylor Swift a free pint if she should ever make the trip to Kilkerrin!
