Galway man’s mobile thatched pub is proving a smash hit on the New York party circuit
Galway native Patrick O’Rourke’s new ‘mobile’ Irish pub is already proving a smash hit for parties in New York just weeks after its big launch.
67-year-old Patrick, who is originally from New Inn in County Galway but now lives in Staten Island, New York, explained to the Irish Independent that The Thatch Pub is a mobile Irish pub anyone can rent for any kind of party.
Patrick said: “I had the idea for quite a while, and then when I retired a couple of years ago, I said let me put this thing into action”.
After buying the trailer, it took Patrick about six months to complete the project and he said he could not be happier with the result.
Patrick said: “I didn’t have any blueprints or anything, it’s all from my head and it all worked out unbelievable. I was born and brought up in a thatched cottage back home in Galway, in a dairy farm in a place called New Inn, between Athenry and Loughrea. So that’s how I came out with the thatched roof on it and the stone-like siding.”
The 16x8ft pub is not only meticulously crafted outside, but it is also full of unique details inside, as Patrick put together memorabilia from both the US and Ireland, including a Galway hurling stick and many pictures.
The Galway man explained: “I collected stuff at yard sales in Boston, NewJersey, Florida, Pennsylvania. And I was in Ireland last October, I went to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, I brought a lot of stuff over with me.
“And there’s a lot of pictures in there, with my parents, who have since passed away, my four kids, my grandchildren, they are all up on the wall there.
“The hurling stick came from my brother in law, my nephew plays for the Galway team,” he added.
Patrick explained that anyone can now rent The Thatch Pub, which comes with a keg chiller and gas for the taps, it has a smart TV and a speaker system which is Bluetooth enabled, air conditioning and heating are also available.
The pub also has a small electric fireplace, and there is seating for up to eight people in the corner snug, four short stools and two stools at the bar. A generator is used for the power.
He explained: “I drive it there, I drop it off, let’s say noon time, and I come back 24 hours later to pick it up, unless they want an extra day.
“I just supply the unit, I don’t supply the alcohol or bartending, they get their own alcohol, glassware and all that.”
Patrick said he is extremely satisfied with his job and is over the moon to hear all the great feedback he’s getting from its first customers.
He said: “It’s unbelievable. People want to rent it, I’m flat out, retiring parties, wedding parties, you name it!”
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