45. The Forge Inn

I learnt about this bar from a local in the Slieve Gullion.

If I had missed it, I would have missed a real beauty, for modern bars are very rare in this part of the world.

It’s a new building with a new licence, opened in November 1989 by the McMahon family. Situated less than 40 yards from the border, it lays claim to being the southernest pub in the North. The bar is entered by way of a small glass conservatory with an old anvil taking pride of place, a reminder of the days when a forge once stood here.

This is a very up to date bar, tastefully designed, that wouldn’t be out of place in the heart of any modern city, with its two large snugs, pink ceiling and beautiful bar area. The real talking point here is the magnificent carved mahogany section which was a part of the altar erected on O’Connell Bridge for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress. This came from Carrickcruppin Church in Camlagh, along with the Tabernacle which can be seen high up in the large Wholesale Wine and Spirit Store adjacent to the bar.

Mr.Desmond McMahon, the friendly owner, thought it would be sacrilegious to bring it inside the bar and I couldn’t agree with him more. After leaving here I went in search of Morgan’s Bar in the townland of Tiffrum right on the Border, only to find a ruined building, nearly twenty years, I was informed, in this state, but I must tell you the story associated with this old bar.

Not only was it on the border, but the line of demarcation actually ran through the centre of the house, so that one-half of the house was in the South and the other half in the North. The licensed part, as far as I am led to believe, was in the South, so it came in very handy when the local Gardai raided the place to catch the late night revellers – all the local lads had to do was to move over to the other half of the house where the Gardai couldn’t touch them, as it was outside their jurisdiction.

Sure, it could only happen in Olde Ireland.