The Auld House
| Address: | 27 Church Road Moneyreagh Northern Ireland NEWTOWNARDS BT23 6BB |
| Telephone: | 028 9044 8446 |
| Website: | www.theauldhousemoneyreagh.co.uk |
| Email: |
Steeped in history, The Auld House is a traditional country pub established in 1806 and located in the heart of rural County Down. Our location in Moneyreagh means we are surprisingly convenient to both Belfast city centre and, thanks to a network of well placed country roads, to Comber, Newtownards and Hillsborough.
John Russell built the first public house on the current site in 1806. It was subsequently owned by Robert Gilliland for many years. Robert banned women from the bar in the 1950’s after a row developed amongst some women from Ballycarry. Women remained barred during Robert Gilliland’s period of ownership and were obliged to drink in the horse stables outside the bar.
The bar remained open until 18th October 1975. Robert found himself in financial difficulties but wished to keep the pub license by hook or by crook. To that end, he opened the bar for the minimum period required to maintain the license. In other words, one day every year. In a rather misanthropic way, he kept outsiders away by only telling a select few friends which day he deigned to open.
In the early 1990’s Derek McKinstry bought the bar following Robert Gillilands death. The Bar was by then, in a very dilapidated state. Derek embarked on an ambitious renovation that sadly resulted in the collapse of the original structure. The present building is a modern construction, which opened in 1991.
Peter Foy was the next proprietor. He bought the bar in 1993 and added a considerable extension in 1997.
Colin Dalley is the new tenant and has ambitious plans to see The Auld House realise its full potential.
John Russell built the first public house on the current site in 1806. It was subsequently owned by Robert Gilliland for many years. Robert banned women from the bar in the 1950’s after a row developed amongst some women from Ballycarry. Women remained barred during Robert Gilliland’s period of ownership and were obliged to drink in the horse stables outside the bar.
The bar remained open until 18th October 1975. Robert found himself in financial difficulties but wished to keep the pub license by hook or by crook. To that end, he opened the bar for the minimum period required to maintain the license. In other words, one day every year. In a rather misanthropic way, he kept outsiders away by only telling a select few friends which day he deigned to open.
In the early 1990’s Derek McKinstry bought the bar following Robert Gillilands death. The Bar was by then, in a very dilapidated state. Derek embarked on an ambitious renovation that sadly resulted in the collapse of the original structure. The present building is a modern construction, which opened in 1991.
Peter Foy was the next proprietor. He bought the bar in 1993 and added a considerable extension in 1997.
Colin Dalley is the new tenant and has ambitious plans to see The Auld House realise its full potential.
