37 History
At over 100 years old, 37 Queen Street has enough history to take up its own section of a library. The bars rich heritage has made it a worthwhile visit to patrons from all over the world down through the years. We can proudly say that we were once Ireland's greatest ever Olympian Dr Pat O' Callaghan's favourite haunt.
Mary Fitzpatrick first opened the bar in 1914 and adopted the name ''Sportsfield Bar''. The bar quickly became a popular spot in the local community which could not have been much more evident than the bar becoming a dressing room for the local GAA Club Clonmel Commercials throughout Mary's reign.
This tradition continued in 1944, when Mary passed the bar onto her niece Christina Shine, who affectionately became known to everyone as ''Chrissie''. Chrissie kept the name Sportsfield Bar for a number of years, before deciding to call the bar "Chrissie's".
From 1944 until Chrissie decided to refurbish the bar in the late 1980's, patrons used to sit on cushioned planks of wood being held up by the beer kegs used in the bar. Patrons used have to rise from their seats if a keg was needed and another keg would be put in its place. People joked that it was the only bar in Clonmel that used have its furniture changed every week.
Chrissie's ability to change with the times kept the bar relevant and the patrons coming back. Her innovative singing competitions that took place in the 80's quickly became legendary and were long before any x-factors. Her infectious personality kept people coming back to visit from the four corners of the world, which they still do today. Her sense of humour stayed with her right up to her passing in 2014.
Mary Fitzpatrick first opened the bar in 1914 and adopted the name ''Sportsfield Bar''. The bar quickly became a popular spot in the local community which could not have been much more evident than the bar becoming a dressing room for the local GAA Club Clonmel Commercials throughout Mary's reign.
This tradition continued in 1944, when Mary passed the bar onto her niece Christina Shine, who affectionately became known to everyone as ''Chrissie''. Chrissie kept the name Sportsfield Bar for a number of years, before deciding to call the bar "Chrissie's".
From 1944 until Chrissie decided to refurbish the bar in the late 1980's, patrons used to sit on cushioned planks of wood being held up by the beer kegs used in the bar. Patrons used have to rise from their seats if a keg was needed and another keg would be put in its place. People joked that it was the only bar in Clonmel that used have its furniture changed every week.
Chrissie's ability to change with the times kept the bar relevant and the patrons coming back. Her innovative singing competitions that took place in the 80's quickly became legendary and were long before any x-factors. Her infectious personality kept people coming back to visit from the four corners of the world, which they still do today. Her sense of humour stayed with her right up to her passing in 2014.
Once asked, what were the biggest changes to her time behind the bar, she responded, “it had to be the changing participation of women in pub culture. Just take 1969 for example. In 1969, women couldn't go into most areas of a pub, yet they were putting men on the moon".
In 1991, Chrissie passed ownership of the bar onto her daughters Michele and Patricia, who continued to run the bar successfully. Sunday live music and sing-along sessions in Chrissie's became a must do to any locals or visitors to the town of Clonmel. People used to say that if you were not in shortly after opening on a Sunday morning, that you could forget about getting a seat for the day.
Michele and Patricia opened Chrissie's Off Licence in 1999. They continued to run the bar and off licence until 2020, before passing the reins onto their nephew and son, Ronan, whilst still working in the bar in a smaller capacity. They still continually meet old friends that they have encountered down through the years that return to rekindle old tales of times before.
Although rebranding the bar to 37 Queen Street, Ronan continues to uphold the bars well-earned reputation. The character it has been developing since 1914, is still evident throughout the bar today and in its timeless ambiance. This is no more evident than the sight of the same walls standing today, both inside and on the Heywood Road, that stood when Mary Fitzpatrick began this legacy.
In 1991, Chrissie passed ownership of the bar onto her daughters Michele and Patricia, who continued to run the bar successfully. Sunday live music and sing-along sessions in Chrissie's became a must do to any locals or visitors to the town of Clonmel. People used to say that if you were not in shortly after opening on a Sunday morning, that you could forget about getting a seat for the day.
Michele and Patricia opened Chrissie's Off Licence in 1999. They continued to run the bar and off licence until 2020, before passing the reins onto their nephew and son, Ronan, whilst still working in the bar in a smaller capacity. They still continually meet old friends that they have encountered down through the years that return to rekindle old tales of times before.
Although rebranding the bar to 37 Queen Street, Ronan continues to uphold the bars well-earned reputation. The character it has been developing since 1914, is still evident throughout the bar today and in its timeless ambiance. This is no more evident than the sight of the same walls standing today, both inside and on the Heywood Road, that stood when Mary Fitzpatrick began this legacy.
