‘End of an era’ in Trimgate St as Ryan’s changes hands

A STALWART Navan publican says handing over the reins of his landmark premises in the heart of the town after a quarter of a century in charge is "the end of an era."

Mick Ryan opened the doors of Ryan’s on Trimgate Street 25 years ago but has decided now is the time to take a step back, with new owners taking over.

"In a way it's the end of an era," said Mick who is also a funeral director based in his premises in Ashbourne.

"We were 25 years here and during that time we have met some wonderful people, between staff and customers we have met some great friends," he added.

"It is a little bit sad but we wish the new owner Chris Kelly and his group the very best going forward."

Ryan's Pub first opened its doors in 1999 on the town's main thoroughfare, Trimgate Street, when Mick and Nancy Ryan bought the business run for generations by Bernard Reilly and his family. The publican has seen many events and changes over the years.

"The smoking ban came in and we had Covid and there were the ups and downs of the economy and the crash in 2008," remembers Mick.

"We went through an awful lot and soldiered on through it," he added.

"Covid changed the whole culture of drinking and how people socialise. During Covid they had different options and some of them are more favourable to them now then they were beforehand."

Speaking earlier this year and 20 years on from the introduction of the smoking ban Mick recalled that before the ban came in they had one member of their floor staff who would spend the whole evening just going around emptying ashtrays into a container. He also remembered how smoky the pub was before the ban.

Like many publicans, Mick was very concerned about the impact the smoking ban would have on his business and he was one of hundreds of publicans who attended a meeting to protest against it.

"We thought, this is going to be absolute chaos. It's going to affect our custom and everything else that went with it. If there was that volume of smoking going on inside, then where are they going to smoke? And what would we have to do to facilitate them to smoke?

"I attended the meeting in Portlaoise run by the VFI to challenge the smoking ban. It was in the Killeshin Hotel and the ballroom was absolutely packed with publicans so it wasn't only Mick Ryan's worry. All the publicans were there with the same gaunt faces on them."

While many feared that customers would flout the ban and light up anyway, Mick said he was very lucky that all his customers adhered to it. He added they were also lucky to have a beer garden outside.

"We were lucky enough that not one person lit a cigarette in the pub after the ban came in. They were very adherent to what the law was and they knew if they wanted to smoke, they had to go outside. Naturally enough they found it very strange in the beginning.

"But look at it now. I am absolutely delighted that it is outside, and not inside. That smoky smell is gone. The staff are better off and are in a position now where they are not inhaling smoke the whole time."

Speaking about key moments through their tenure, Nancy pointed out how Ryan's was the first pub to introduce a coffee machine in Navan and how this encouraged women to venture into the pub alone opening up a whole new social dynamic.

Situated in the heart of the town, Ryan's established itself as a go-to venue for all occasions creating memorable moments not just for locals but for Mick, Nancy and staff.

"The amount of birthday parties, the amount of christening parties, 21sts and 40ths we have hosted is unbelievable," said the well known publican.

"We had one lovely lady who celebrated her 90th birthday party with us in the middle of the summer in the beer garden," he added.

"We have great memories, we tried to look after people as best we could."

Mick points out that Meath winning the All Ireland in 1999 was a huge occasion and a stand out memory.

"We had the RTE cameras in that day and the celebrations went on well into the night," he says.

The Ryans say they want to thank the community for its support over the last 25 years.

"Over the 25 years we were only as good as the people who came in the door and we'd like to say a huge thank you to one and all.

"To all our staff who worked with us to the customers who came in, we wish them the very best in the future."