Iconic Irish Pub, Fagans, Reopens After Devastating Fire

Moynalvey, Co. Meath – An iconic 150-year-old pub, Fagans (also known as Scut Fagans), has reopened in a temporary premises just months after being gutted by a fire on Modern Year’s Eve. The pub, a beloved community hub and recognizable filming location, is once again serving customers, just in time for major events like Cheltenham and St. Patrick’s Day.

A History Steeped in Tradition

Fagans pub has a rich history, gaining prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as the backdrop for pub scenes in the RTÉ satire series, ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’, representing the fictional village of Ballymagash [Meath Chronicle]. More recently, the pub featured in the Oscar-nominated Irish language film, An Cailín Ciúin [RTÉ].

The Fire and Its Aftermath

The fire broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Eve, leaving only the four walls of the original structure standing [RTÉ]. Proprietor John Reilly received a call around 5 am to find five or six fire brigades already on the scene [RTÉ]. Fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze.

A Swift Response and Temporary Home

Despite the devastation, the Reilly family, who have owned Fagans since 1999, quickly devised a plan to rebuild. Within weeks, they began converting a shed adjacent to the original pub – previously used for storage – into a temporary bar [RTÉ]. This week, they reopened to the public in the converted space.

Community Impact and Rebuilding Plans

Fagans serves not only the local community of Moynalvey but also draws patrons from Summerhill, Trim, and beyond [RTÉ]. The fire was a significant loss for the area, described as a “disaster” and a “huge vacuum” by locals [RTÉ]. The pub was considered the heart of the community, hosting events from funerals to celebrations.

The Reillys aim to recreate the original pub as closely as possible, though they anticipate the rebuilding process will take at least a year, and likely longer [RTÉ]. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but has been classified as accidental [RTÉ].

“There is no time scale. The big plan is to recreate what we had as close as we can to that,” said John Reilly [RTÉ].