Mary Willies Pub is going strong and has stood the test of time

Mary Willies pub in Tipperary is open for business. The pub is a gem in the heart of rural Ireland and, despite 26 pubs closing in Tipperary over the past year, Mary Willies is not one of them.

”We are going strong and long may it last,” says Evelyn Dunne who runs Mary Willies. The pub has served generations of locals and those passing through the area as well as many visitors who stop at the famous bar that has a timeless feel to it.

Mary Willies goes back over 150 years and has a long and checkered history not least during the Civil War when an ambush took place at Mary Willies.

Evelyn Dunne has been at the helm of the famous establishment for 22 years now, and is aware of the depth of history in the place.

Its fame stretches back through time she says: “There was an ambush back in Civil War times at Mary Willies. Michael Collins and De Valera agreed to meet at Mary Willies and they both came unarmed three weeks before Michael Collins was shot dead at Béal na Bláth.

“It is mentioned in the Irish Civil War book which was written by Eoin Neeson if anyone would like to research it further,” Evelyn says.

The pub is very well known and many people travelling to sporting fixtures, or other events, often stop for a while enroute.
It is a meeting point in the area and plays a vital role in the community: “The pub is at the heart of life in the area. We are in a great location and are part of a great community.

“The pub is, more than ever now, an important part of people's lives. Post Covid it was like you released a pressure valve as  people came to the pub to have a chat and catch up with their neighbours.

“It was like pent up frustration was released when they could get into the pub and have a chat with others and for that, the pub is a vital part of Irish life,” Evelyn said.

She feels the government should be more conscious of that and more aware of the role that pubs, particularly rural pubs, play to keep the community together. The government need to make things a little bit easier for customers and the publicans.

“I think that particularly in light of all the pubs closing around the country. It is a shame to see any pub close in the country. We can't lose the pub way of life in Ireland.

“It is part of our DNA.”

Mary Willies has many links with the local community as well as a strong passing trade. A rare gem, it is worth calling to when you can.