RAISING A FLAG: Six people with local connections bring new life to famous Tipperary pub

The Ragg has a long history of great nights, filled with music, food, a packed bar and plenty of merriment.

It was business as usual earlier this month when all roads led to Inch as the doors reopened under new management following the end of Rose and the late Donal Young and their daughter RoseMarie’s 25 year stint as proprietors.

The locals turned out in force along with plenty of others from farther afield, to witness the beginning of a new era with a group of six ambitious locals who are playing their part in preserving an important focal point in mid-Tipperary.

Séamus Butler, Martin Everard, John Egan, Liam Kennedy, Nóirín O’Dwyer and Seán Hayes are the group behind this exciting venture and their collective experience was clear to see on the night.

Liam of the County Bar, Thurles, renews the Kennedy connection to The Ragg. He is the son of the late John Kennedy and Breda who built and ran a bustling enterprise at The Ragg from 1973 to 1998.

Martin of the well-known Everard family, comes from nearby Ballypatrick, just a stone’s throw from The Ragg, while his neighbour Séamus, now at Magherareagh, comes from the Butler clan, a renowned hurling family for both club and county.

Seán, who lives in Annfield, hails from the Hayes family just across the bridge in the townsland of Clonmore, while brother and sister, John from Dovea and Nóirín who lives in Dualla, are Egans of Inch House, an establishment noted for its hospitality, high standards and warm welcome.

The six are united in their passion for all things Drom and Inch and their deep-rooted sense of community belonging has been the driving force in seeing their plans comes to fruition. It was a feast for the senses from arrival on Saturday, September 2, with the strong evening sun warming their backs as people entered, the tone was set at the door where patrons were greeted with complimentary drinks to the dulcet tones of singer Kerry Anne Gleeson.

As was always the way in The Ragg, no one left hungry either, with plenty of tasty food provided for all. Patrick Kerwick belted out crowd-pleasing songs later in the evening and there was a buzz in the air with the anticipation of the potential for many more wonderful evenings ahead.

Among those in attendance in the large crowd were Tipperary minor hurling manager and local GAA star James Woodlock; fashion blogger Michelle Fitzpatrick of Michelle Up The Lane and Deputy Michael Lowry. The premises has a new name to go with the new owners - REVEL at The Ragg.

Located on a strategic intersection in the heart of Tipperary, the crossroads is known as The Ragg and the name has become associated with the pub on the cross.

The name of The Ragg dates back over the centuries and tells the tale of a renowned Tipperary landmark. In the days well before the age of modern communications, signals and beacons were often used to convey necessary messages, to signal for help or to give warning of danger. In much the same way, the Ragg was a signal beacon of its day.

Historically, the name is thought to refer to a flag or cloth which was hoisted at the cross as a signal for the people of the area that the poitín was available in the pub and that there was revelry in the air. The Irish "ragairne" or "dul ar ragairne" meaning to go rambling and revelling at night may well point to the origins of the name.

There is also a school of thought to suggest that the flag could have had a secondary meaning and one that needed to be concealed from the authorities at the time. It is believed that it may have been a warning beacon to local rebels like the United Irishmen, the Fenians or the Volunteers of the War of Independence informing them on the movements of the Crown Forces. It is possible that the Irish ‘ Rabhadh’ meaning warning signal has some connection to the name too.

Whatever the origin of the name or the meaning, one thing is certain. On the September 2 a marker was put out by a group of locals with Drom and Inch loyalty and commitment running through their veins to let Tipperary know that REVEL at The Ragg continues to be a place of significance at the very beating heart of the local community and if we want to keep rural establishments like this open, we need to use them. Best wishes and success to all involved.