Carrick watering hole flying the flag for Cavan Monaghan at Local Bar of the Year final

Deery’s Bar and Lounge in Carrickmacross will be swapping Main Street for black tie glamour on Monday night as the well-known family pub takes its place among the finalists for Local Bar of the Year.

The final will be held at a black tie gala event in the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge, where Deery’s will be flying the flag not only for Carrickmacross, but for the wider Cavan-Monaghan area.

Current proprietor Mícheál Deery runs the pub with his wife, Christina, continuing a family tradition that stretches back to 1932, when his grandfather Michael (Mick) returned from England and opened the business. Mícheál’s father, also Michael, has now taken “a step back”, but as Mícheál adds with a smile, “he’s still the boss!”

“I grew up in the pub, my father grew up in the pub,” said Mícheál. “My grandfather started in 1932. He came home from England and we’re here 94 years.”

The nomination is a proud moment for the Deery family, their staff and the generations of customers who have passed through the doors. It also reflects the work put into refreshing the premises in recent years. “It’s just a great recognition for us as a family, our staff and our customers, past and present,” said Mícheál. “We’ve worked hard, we did up the place during COVID. It’s something we’re really proud of.”

The road to the final began earlier this year when Christina prepared what Mícheál described as “quite an extensive application” for the awards. Visits followed in May and June before the finalists were announced in July.

With 15 bars shortlisted in the Local Bar of the Year category: “There’s some very big names and we’re just delighted to be there,” said Mícheál. “Everything else is a bonus from here on out.”

Asked what makes the pub special, Mícheál pointed to the everyday role it plays in Carrickmacross life. “We’ve great customers and it’s a place where you can come for a quiet pint, to read the paper, to meet or make friends, to celebrate or commiserate, there’s just something for everybody.”

Like many publicans, Mícheál says the trade has its challenges, particularly with rising energy and labour costs, but the family is determined to keep adapting. “It’s tough. It’s something you have to love,” he said. “There’s always challenges and there always will be, but we’re always trying new stuff.”

For now, all eyes are on Monday night in Ballsbridge, where Deery’s Bar and Lounge will take its place among the country’s top local pubs and carry Carrickmacross pride with it.