DONAGHADEE ROTARIANS VISIT BELFAST  

On what could arguably have been the worst evening of the year so far (Thursday 13^th Nov 2003) members of Donaghadee Rotary Club's Historical Society left Donaghadee to take part in Bailey's Historical Pub Tour of Belfast. The party journeyed to Belfast on board a luxury coach supplied by North Down Coaches. So keen were the members to take part in the tour that one stalwart who journeyed from England had to be picked up at Belfast City Airport .  

The trip was organised by past president Alistair Johnston who had taken the tour during conference weekend. The party were led by a cross between an Indiana Jones’s father look alike and a well known Bangor dosser, yes it was Robert McIlveen in his distinctive hat.  

The first pub on the tour was McHughs, Queen’s Square where the party had an excellent meal and met Judy their guide for the evening. McHughs originally built more than 300 years ago provides a focal point for one of the most exciting areas of Belfast ’s regeneration, with Customs House opposite and the Albert clock to the east. McHughs imaginative and thoughtful restoration is the perfect compliment. McHughs is one of the best little alehouses in Belfast .  

The second pub to be visited was Bittles Bar Victoria Sq. A curious triangular building decorated with gilded shamrocks and dated 1861 houses this compact and fascinating pub. The tri-cornered lounge is decorated with portraits and pictures of Irelands most celebrated literary figures.  

The Kitchen Bar Victoria Sq was the next pub to be visited. It was once a boarding house for young ladies working in a nearby department store. The bar opened in 1859 and is now a local in the city centre. It is due to move as a result of the planned redevelopment of Victoria Sq. The walls are adorned with memorabilia from the old Empire music hall, which once stood nearby.  

Next on the tour was The Morning Star, Pottingers Entry. The listed building it occupies has been carefully restored, retaining its unique architectural features. It boasts probably the most electric pub menu in Ireland including kangaroo and crocodile steaks as well as choice cuts of emu, ostrich and bison.  

The penultimate hostelry to be visited was White’s Tavern, Winecellar Entry founded in1630 as a wine and spirit shop. Whites Tavern retains the spirit of a by-gone age. It is a haven of peace where customers can converse or simply browse among the many old Belfast artefacts incorporated into the design. It was in this bar that the participants in the tour enjoyed their complementary glass of Baileys.  

The final bar to be visited was The Crown Saloon in Great Victoria St owned by the National Trust and one of the Jewels in Belfast ’s entertainment sector. It is situated on the Golden Mile opposite the Grand Opera House. The Crown has the most perfectly preserved Victorian Pub interior in the province.  

As a testimony to the craic and banter enjoyed by the Rotarians on their tour, one member was given a quote for having his roof repaired while another was reliably informed by another local that the north Antrim mystery beast was actually his girlfriends missing cat.   

On the journey back to Donaghadee a member of the club treated the Rotarians to a passable imitation of Count Dracula. Three of the older members were dropped of appropriately enough outside the Murloughboy Nursing Home. Needless to say the group enjoyed the evening.

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