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                                  CANALSIDE PUBS ON " THE  ROYAL "

OLD VILLAGE PHOTO , CIRCA 1928

                     THE RUSTIC INN , ABBEYSHRULE.

The Rustic Inn was in the ownership of Ted McGoey, Abbeyshrule and the premises is currently being managed by Edward Junior- the fourth generation of the family to carry on the licensed trade in the village of Abbeyshrule. Records show that a licensed premises existed on this site prior to the advent of the Royal Canal in 1815. Taverns or "Shebeens" were a common feature of village life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The pub on the site of the present "Rustic Inn" was in the ownership of Robert Miller and his family for much of the 1800's. The premises are in the ownership of the McGoey family since 1887.

It would be an understatement to say that the Rustic Inn and the various premises, which existed at this site in former times, did not have a close association with the Royal Canal.  Arguably there is no other pub along the Royal, which is in such close proximity to the canal. You can literally step out the back door of the Rustic Inn on to the bank of the canal as many who have attended canal functions in recent times can readily testify to. As with many other pubs along the canal, the Guinness was delivered by barge up to the 1940's. Sadly the decline of the canal in the 1940's and 50's did not help to brighten life in Abbeyshrule at that time.

The present premises do not look remotely like the premises which existed on the site of the 19th century, and for much of the 20th century. The pub was a traditional thatched pub up to1955 when the then proprietor Ned McGoey carried out an extensive refurbishment, which included putting a new slated roof on the pub. Up to the nineteen sixties the pub was quite small like most other pubs of its type in rural Ireland. Pubs at that time were generally the preserve of males only and the era of women frequenting pubs had not yet arrived.

However by the mid nineteen sixties the social order of the day began to change and the phenomenon known as the "lounge" arrived on the scene. The present owner Ted McGoey added a lounge to the premises in 1965. This was later extended in 1969 with the addition of a lounge to cater for music. The era of the singing pub had arrived. The premises became officially known as the "Rustic Inn" in 1970. It was to prove to be one of the best known pubs in the midlands catering for ballads and music. A function room was added to the premises in 1973 to cater for the growing demand for functions of various kinds including weddings. A restaurant was later opened and is still a popular venue for lunches particularly on Sundays.

A fire at the premises in 1979 resulted in extensive damage. The premises were completely rebuilt resulting in the large building, which now exists there today. To mark the major boat rally on the canal in 1999 an extensive wall mural was painted on the rear wall of the Rustic Inn adjoining the Royal Canal. (see photo hereunder ) . The mural depicts various canal scenes and has evoked a positive response from all who have seen it.
Many distinguished visitors have had occasion to visit the McGoey pub over the years. These have included such diverse political figures as General Sean McEoin, Sean McBride (Nobel Peace Laureate), Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien, Charlie Haughey, Albert Reynolds and Charlie McCreevy to name but a few.

Many of the top Irish artists and musicians of recent years have performed at the Rustic Inn including Sean McGuire, Joe Burke, Brendan Shine, Foster and Allen, Brendan Grace, Frank Patterson, Geraldine O'Grady, Niall Tobin, Christy Moore, Maureen Potter, Joseph Locke, The Dubliners etc. Indeed Brendan Grace's favourite form of relaxation before going on stage was to take a stroll along the banks of the Royal Canal.

The Rustic Inn has always been proud of its association with the Royal Canal. Many of you will recall that the Rustic Inn was featured on the back cover of the old Shell guide to the Royal Canal. The Rustic Inn looks forward to acting as a host in the future for visitors arriving by boat on the Royal Canal in Abbeyshrule.


Extracted from Royal Canal News
Winter Edition 2001

Canal Bank with painted mural  on Rustic Inn to mark opening of navigation Dublin Docks to Abbeyshrule . Rally August 1999