End of an era as Peadar pulls his last pint

Peadar McArdle

It was the end of an era in the Dundalk pub game last night following the retirement of Peadar McArdle.

The 70-year-old, who runs McArdle’s in Anne Street, recently agreed to sell the leasehold interest on the premises after 25 years of running the popular local pub.

After a special farewell party at the weekend involving family, friends and loyal customers, Peadar enjoyed his final send off last night.

Peadar bought the lease of the pub in 1989 after being made redundant from Clark’s shoe factory and ran the pub with his wife Teresa.

While now living in Knockbridge, Peadar and Teresa raised their family of five above the premises for a time, with son Paul still working behind the bar to this day.

‘Peadar’s’, as it is affectionately known, is believed to have origins from the 1800s when it was an inn and lodging house.

The pub will continue to be a popular spot for anyone out for a pint in Dundalk. However, with Peadar gone, it’ll never be quite the same again.

Peadar’s expected to change hands in the New Year

McArdle’s pub in Anne Street

Peadar McArdle

One of Dundalk’s best-known pubs could be set to change hands in the coming months.

Well-known publican Peadar McArdle announced back in July that he was retiring after 25 years of running McArdle’s in Anne Street by placing the leasehold interest up for sale.

Now Talk of the Town can reveal that a deal has been struck for the pub to change hands to an unknown bidder, with estate agents Sherry FitzGerald Carroll marking it as ‘Sale Agreed’ on their website on Monday.

Barring any complications, the final details of the sale are likely to be completed in the next few weeks with the likelihood that the changeover will happen sometime in the New Year.

Now 70, Peadar bought the lease of the pub in 1989 after being made redundant from Clark’s shoe factory and ran the pub with his wife Teresa.

While now living in Knockbridge, Peadar and Teresa raised their family of five above the premises for a time, with son Paul still working behind the bar to this day.

‘Peadar’s’, as it is affectionately known, is believed to have origins from the 1800s when it was an inn and lodging house.

A popular venue for supporters of local GAA, soccer and rugby teams, the pub has its own golf society and has entertained countless sporting stars down through the years, including Stephen Staunton, whose jersey from the 2002 World Cup adorns the walls of the pub.

Peadar to retire after 25 years running McArdle’s

McArdle’s pub in Anne Street

Peadar McArdle

One of Dundalk’s best known publicans, Peadar McArdle, is set to retire after 25 years of running McArdle’s in Anne Street having placed the leasehold interest up for sale.

The 70-year-old bought the lease of the pub in 1989 after being made redundant from Clark’s shoe factory and ran the pub with his wife Teresa.

Peadar confirmed his retirement to The Argus newspaper, saying: “I’m delighted to be retiring. I’m 70 years of age now and it’s time for a new generation to take over the running of the pub.”

While now living in Knockbridge, Peadar and Teresa raised their family of five above the premises for a time, with son Paul still working behind the bar to this day.

‘Peadar’s’, as it is affectionately known, is believed to have origins from the 1800s when it was an inn and lodging house.

A popular venue for supports of local GAA, soccer and rugby teams, the pub has its own golf society and has entertained countless sporting stars down through the years, including Stephen Staunton.

McArdles is now on offer via Sherry FitzGerald Carroll, who are selling the leasehold interest.

Kenny confident he can add another Irish international from Dundalk to his CV

Stephen Kenny with Ireland boss Martin O’Neill at yesterday’s Dundalk FC-Dundalk IT partnership launch in Dublin

Stephen Kenny believes he can produce an Irish senior international at Dundalk.

A local hasn’t lined out for Ireland since Stephen Staunton made his debut in 1988 but Kenny has a proven track record of turning League of Ireland stars into Ireland internationals.

Amongst those who have gone on to represent their country having played under Kenny were the likes of James McClean, Connor Sammon, David Forde and Glen Crowe.

Paddy McCourt, who is expected to be at Oriel Park on Friday night for Barnsley’s visit, also went on to represent Northern Ireland having made his name playing under Kenny while at Derry City. Other Northern Ireland reps who played under the current Lilywhites boss were Niall McGinn and Daniel Lafferty, with Ger Doherty having made the squad despite not winning a cap. Eamon Zayed also went on to play for Libya.

Speaking at the launch of Dundalk FC’s new partnership with Dundalk IT in Dublin yesterday, Kenny said a Dundalk player could follow suit in the not-too-distant future if they believed in themselves.

“Derry hadn’t many internationals for a long period but I was at Derry for four years and we had eight players who became full internationals. I think with the proper infrastructure players can get opportunities to progress and do well.

“I managed Glen Crowe when he was picked, the first since Pat Byrne, in that period. Nobody thought he could.

“The likes of David Forde, who is there now, was really driven and would talk regularly about his desire to become an international even then. Players have to absolutely think like this.

“When I got to Dundalk, I said one of the problems is that Steve Staunton is the last Dundalk international which isn’t great.

“Its a bad indictment as it’s a football town. It would be different if it was a hurling stronghold but it’s not. With the proper infrastructure players can get opportunities to progress and do well.

“I’d be disappointed with the group I have now if I didn’t get an international out of the group. I’m not saying they’ll play for Dundalk and Ireland in the one year but what I will say I would be genuinely disappointed [if one didn’t reach senior international level].”