66. Reilly’s Bar

Newtownbutler REILLY’S Question: What is the connection between the Newtown butler of the past and the Ulster American Folk Park of the present? Answer: The entire wooden front of Reilly’s Bar, which has been taken away from its original situation and repositioned in the Folk Park near Omagh.

A curious thing about this transplant is that during the job an old archway was revealed behind the pub’s timber facade which informed sources identified as signifying a blacksmith’s shop. Also transferred to the Ulster American Folk Park from the bar were a number of very old books and accounts, but some slightly more recent ones stayed with the present licenses and he will willingly let you see them.

For your information, they tell us that in 1845 if you had ordered your groceries from this emporium you could have expected to pay 1 1/2d for Ihoz of tobacco, 4d for a loaf of bread, and 2d for tea and sugar, making a total in today’s currency of about 3p.

Another interesting story concerning Reilly’s bar is that not so long ago a German tourist, something of an antiquarian, discovered a very old painted swinging sign belonging to the pub and wanted to buy it, but happily it still is in the possession of the publican.
The sign is very faded with age but still shows clearly a Scottish highland warrior complete with kilt and claymore.

Why a Newtownbutler pub should have this particular figure on its signboard is a mystery to the licensee and to the locals.

If you have any ideas on it, do call in to Reilly’s Bar.