Fans of the movie ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ received exciting news this summer, as Ireland announced incentives for people to move to its remote islands, including Inis Mór, one of the filming locations for the movie. However, that’s not the only treat in store for fans, as the pub featured in the film is no longer a fictional place. An enterprising man took the dismantled set and transformed it into a fully operational bar in County Galway, Ireland.
Luke Mee, the owner of Mee’s Bar in the village of Kilkerrin, was curious why no one had turned the discarded film set into a tourist attraction. After some investigation, he discovered that the pub was in the possession of his brother-in-law, who had initially planned to use it as timber. Mee seized the opportunity and asked to buy it, but his brother-in-law offered it to him for free. Mee and his team then transported the set back to Kilkerrin and covertly assembled it inside a shed at Mee’s Bar, protecting it from the elements.
The J.J. Devine Public House, as it’s known from the film, is now open for business. Whether you’re looking for a casual pint after work or seeking an adventure that might lead to unforeseeable and surprisingly grisly consequences, the pub offers a unique atmosphere. Mee humorously remarked that they have a “ban on cutting fingers off and throwing them,” a playful nod to the dramatic events in the movie.
One charming regular visitor to the bar is Holly the donkey, adding to the pub’s authentic and rustic charm. Holly enjoys the attention from patrons, becoming a local celebrity of sorts.
So, if you ever find yourself in County Galway, Ireland, be sure to stop by the real-life J.J. Devine Public House from ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ You might just get a taste of the film’s atmosphere and have the chance to share a pint with Holly the donkey!
