Dunkineely’s MacLaughlin’s Bar ready for 75th anniversary celebrations

A South Donegal institution, MacLaughlin’s Pub in Dunkineely is prepared for a celebratory weekend as it welcomes its 75th year of business within six generations of the same family.

The popular pub is expecting visitors from all over the country to celebrate 75 years in business from November 7 to November 9.

Seanie Boyle, family member of the pub landlord, Donal Kelly, told Donegal Live of the importance of celebrating MacLaughlin’s longevity.

He said: “It is very important and nice for the family. It is important to give back to the customers in Dunkineely as they keep us going. 

“Those 75 years have been important, especially with COVID, as we didn’t know if we would get going again. 

“We have customers from Dublin and all over the country coming, so it is nice for people to celebrate.

“There is music and a sing-along on Friday night, and we have Conor McAllister that night. On Saturday, we have the Stinging Rodgers playing, and the finishing band is a reunion band called The Mothers, who are coming out of retirement for the show.

“On Sunday, we have Aishling Meehan playing, and a full marquee in the smoking area for the whole weekend.”

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Seanie’s grandfather, Christy Kelly, was the pub landlord from the 1970s until he passed away in 2022, and Seanie noted his grandfather’s influence on the local community.

He said: “We are the sponsor of the local GAA team, and Christy Kelly would have been among the founding members of that GAA club. We have been known as the GAA pub.”

When asked what celebratory occasions at McLaughlin’s were the most memorable, Seanie commented: “Any GAA success has been big, as well as big fundraisers.

“We had Adrian Lewis, the Darts World Champion, who packed the place out on a Tuesday night in 2012. 

“We also had a reunion festival in 2001. They definitely would have been part of the big nights.”