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Authentic Irish and British Isles food made from scratch, a full bar, an extensive whiskey menu, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Check out our Weekly Specials for Celtic Fusion Cuisine.
About Neville
Growing up in Lambeg, a small village 8 miles from Belfast, I was reared partly by my Granny McCarthy while my Mum went to work. I grew up surrounded by the foods and drinks that were typical of Ireland and, it turns out, the ones I’ve wanted to share with the community. My Mum and Dad went to work early in life with no opportunity for advanced education because of their family circumstances and the outbreak of World War II.
Even though my parents didn’t have an abundance of money, there was always food on the table including great breads, scones and baked goods.
My Dad (Sammy) who loved to sing Irish Ballads — especially after a few bottles of Stout — allowed me a wee spot of Guinness on a Sunday in a tiny glass in front of our fireplace and I was dosed with Whisky Punch for a cold or a toothache.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and because of my love for them, I managed to get a Grammar School Education by receiving a scholarship (which also enabled me to participate in all the sports I enjoyed). My passion developed into a love of hockey (Field Hockey in USA), earning me a selection to play for Ireland Schools and Ulster at U-21 level. A University Degree in Civil Engineering followed — at Queen’s University Belfast — which resulted in an opportunity to play competitive Hockey and travel all over Europe and the UK. My hockey team came to America in 1978 and I met a hockey goalkeeper, Linda Shay who was playing in the ladies’ part of The Maple Leaf Tournament in Toronto, and the rest is history. I married her!
Working as an engineer in Pennsylvania, playing hockey in a NY-based league, and selling hockey equipment from a company in England soon convinced me I needed my own business. When my Dad became terminally ill in Ireland, Donegal Square (the “sister” business to the Red Stag Pub) was born. The name came from the Georgian Square in Belfast where I worked for a short time after University.
The new found freedom allowed me creative time to work with some Scottish and Irish descendants, locally dreaming up The Celtic Classic Festival. Celtic Classic is a totally cultural event designed to educate the local community about their Celtic roots through music, dance, food, and athletic events. For me, this became a way to positively influence the “troubles” back in Northern Ireland by illustrating how the two sides could celebrate each other’s Cultures.
Leaving engineering behind, and with my wife embarking on a law degree, festival food vending, taking tours to Ireland and Scotland and Celtic Band Management were added to my repertoire — among other adventures along the way. The idea of sharing the foods I grew up with morphed into Granny McCarthy’s Tea Room and Bakery in 1997. The Tea Room eventually graduated into McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in 2013.
The journey continues as we build a Celtic Destination, combining my culture and heritage, through shopping, food and drink, music and travel to Ireland and The Celtic Lands. It’s a long way from the little row house in Lambeg where I grew up, but my roots are the foundation of my “Why,” and provide me with a life fueled by passion for my sport, friends and family, business and heritage — which is the ultimate reward.