Grace Neill’s is certainly one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, if not the oldest. The bar today still sits on its original site in Donaghadee’s High Street, opening in 1611 as The King’s Arms. In the 400 years since, this cosy pub has served many drinks to many people, and is fondly regarded by locals and tourists alike. Today the bar carries the name of Grace Neill, as it was she who ran the pub from 1842 when her father bought her the premises as a wedding present. She was quite a character, with a strong spirit and a hearty welcome for all coming through the pub doors. She would frequently smoke a clay pipe, as was the custom at the time, and would often greet customers coming into the pub with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Grace ran the pub right up until 1916, when she died at the grand age of 98 years old. Since then, the pub has been pleased to keep her name and the well-earned reputation for hospitality throughout Ireland and further beyond. If Grace could still see the original area at the front of the bar today, she would notice that very little has changed.
The two snugs in this original area contain many antique glass and stone bottles (including Comber Whiskey and Belfast Mineral water bottles) which are a reminder of days gone by. There are still reminders throughout the bar of the criminal element who sought sanctuary here - the smugglers and horse-thieves who plotted and schemed in the old bar during the past century when Donaghadee was the main sea port to both the Isle of Man and Portpatrick in Scotland.
These snugs exist to this day, having been visited by a range of distinguished names in the generations since: names such as writer Daniel Defoe and composer Franz Liszt, as well as poet John Keats and even Peter The Great of Russia.
The Arthur family were delighted to take over the running of Grace Neill’s in 2006. Coming from Donaghadee like Grace Neill herself, this hard-working family had the right set of skills, experience and enthusiasm to bring the bar up to date and in touch with the 21st century, while keeping the traditional elements of the bar and its reputation very much intact.
Source: http://www.graceneills.com/
