A Christmas centenary salute to Grandad Byrne

Pictured are Dave Byrne, son of the late Tom Byrne, and myself and my brother Garreth, sons of the late Jim Byrne Jr, writes Brian Byrne. We’re saluting the centenary of our grandfather, James J Byrne Snr, opening Byrne’s Hotel in Kilcullen. 

The premises formerly known as Flanagan’s Motor Bar was bought by James J Byrne Snr and opened on Christmas Eve 1925 as Byrne’s Hotel. Twenty-five years later, my father, James J Byrne Jr, took over and established the original Hideout, finally sold from the family by my late brother, Des, in 1996. 

Just to note also that our great-grandfather, also James Byrne, arrived in Kilcullen 165 years ago and subsequently operated a grocery and bar business on Main Street, on part of the site now occupied by Eurospar.

 

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