Landmark pub destroyed by devastating blaze rises from the ashes... sort of!

Louise Walsh

A 150 year old pub which was gutted by fire on New Year's Eve has risen from the ashes in time for Cheltenham - sort of!

Fagan's Pub in Moynalvy, Co. Meath may have been destroyed in the blaze but owners John Reilly and his sister Beth Ann refused to let the spirit of the bar remain dormant.

So, in a ten week turnaround, they renovated a 420sq.ft former cattle shed on the site into mini Scut Fagan's and reopened it in time for Cheltenham on Tuesday, to a packed house.

Scut Fagan's had featured in a number of ads and TV shows over the years including RTE's Halls Pictorial Weekly and the Academy nominated film Cailin Ciuin. But the bar was reduced to virtual rubble in the New Year's Eve inferno.

"The walls are still standing but everything else is gone. It's a glorified ashtray," said John at the time.

However, losing the pub on one of the busiest days of the year made John and Beth Ann only more determined to rebuild their 'treasure'.

Rebuilding the main premises remains a priority but will take time so the siblings decided to renovate a shed to bring Scut's back to life.

"Scuts was too important to everyone so this bar will bring the community back together for the present," he said.

"It was an original cattle shed that was used for storage. We managed to renovate it with the help and support of the community. One neighbour was kind enough to let us use his electricity until our own was connected on Monday.

"We opened on Tuesday, just in time for Cheltenham races and the community came out in their droves to support us and we have to thank them for that. Scut Fagans is back open for business."