Country superstar hails Offaly man's pub 'best' and sings with hit Tullamore band

COUNTRY superstar Zach Bryan hailed a pub owned by an Offaly Person of the Year winner as Ireland's best after enjoying a session there with hit band Chasing Abbey.

Bryan took to social media to record his thoughts in advance of the three massive gigs he played in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

And Noel Tynan, owner of The Celt Bar on Talbot Street in the capital, even enjoyed an arm wrestle with the American and revealed that he had tipped staff an incredible €6,000.

Tynan, a native of Coolderry and Offaly Person of the Year in 2022 told the Sunday World: “Zach is the most down-to-earth young fella you’ll ever meet. He first came here two years ago when he played a couple of nights at The Helix.”

He detailed: “Hugo Keenan the rugby player is pretty friendly with him and my son, Donnacha, is good friends with Hugo. It was Hugo who had brought him back here the first time.

“They had been down in Temple Bar, but it wasn’t Zach’s scene. He’s from a small place called Oologah in Oklahoma, which has a population of 4,000 people.

“Hugo said, ‘I know a great pub,’ and he brought him here that night and sure he loved it. We have a great mix of tourists and locals and there’s a couple of characters in the pub as well and they like that. There’s a great céad míle fáilte. The bar staff chat to everyone.”

Bryan defeated Tynan in an arm wrestle, prompting the Offaly man to post on social media: “Zach Bryan, the King of Country arm wrestling the King of Talbot Street on Wednesday night only one winner? Shoutout to Zach, strongest man I ever wrestled, as strong as an ox.”

Bryan posted a picture of the wrestle with the message “shoutout to the Celt last night, best damn bar in Ireland”.

Zach Bryan's father, Dewayen, also posted on social media: “Hey folks, I love Ireland and I also love the Celt”.

When the singer left the €6,000 tip for three staff he remarked the money would pay college fees.

Meanwhile, Chasing Abbey posted clips from The Celt where they accompanied Bryan as he sang one of his biggest hits Nine Ball in the packed bar.

The throng also joined in for Blooming Heather and Chasing Abbey commented on social media: “When Zach Bryan and friends join you for an Irish Music Session”, hailing it as “an seisiun mor” and a “truly special night”.

Bryan and Chasing Abbey were also joined by all-girl trad group Cailini Lua and there was even a tin whistle rendition of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark.

Chasing Abbey play a hometown gig this Saturday, June 28 in the Tullamore Court Hotel. It's an all ages show and doors open at 4pm.

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