Today we’d like to introduce you to Eilish Havey.
Eilish, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Arrived in Boston from Dublin, Ireland in 1988, began my restaurant career in the kitchen of an Irish Pub in Boston’s Financial District climbing the ladder to becoming the Controller of a Restaurant Group with 10 locations, involved in all operations of each location. In June of 2013 an opportunity was presented to me to open my own location and after a lengthy process, Bunratty Tavern opened its doors to the public on June 19th, 2015. Everything permanent in the premises, which were handed to us with cinder block walls, no utilities etc. was handmade on site and entirely designed by myself. Working 7 days a week, my passion and drive to bring a piece of Traditional Irish to the Northshore of Boston, Bunratty Tavern has become one of the best venues for live Irish entertainment, home cooked traditional meals and a place that people have come to call home. Being an Irish Step Dancer I have also brought traditional dancing back to the public houses and have introduced many “new” generation Irish to this wonderful past time. We have been awarded “Best Of” locally for the last two years and have been nominated for the past two years in numerous categories in the Best of Boston North Shore (awaiting results of this years). We are quickly gaining customers from all reaches of the New England area.
Has it been a smooth road?
The number one obstacle on this journey is the fact that I’m a Woman, as an owner, in a predominately Male oriented business. The road to becoming the person I am today was instrumental in preparing me for the long, tedious and sometimes exasperating challenges that I faced trying to open Bunrattty Tavern, but the rewards I receive daily from new and old customers, who share their feelings with me about our location, make it worth every second and gray hair that I now have.
Moving to the suburbs after dealing with the Boston Authorities for the previous 20 years was really an eye opener. Small town politics and many, many boards who want a say in every move – along with trying to establish a business in a Historically Registered Building, and a Town that doesn’t allow “Bars”, getting the approval and the continued support from the Town to operate what is technically recognized as a Bar, with it being Irish, has been one of the most rewarding acknowledgements anyone can get. After two years in business, showing everyone that an Irish Pub/Restaurant can, in fact, be a great family location, the response and demand for family parties, christenings, showers, weddings and wakes, we have garnered the support from everyone in town.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bunratty Tavern – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Beyond what I’ve already told you, Bunratty Tavern is a family run (and live locally) business. We thrive to show the best of Traditional Irish with live music, dancing, Traditional Irish meals along with American cuisine with a scratch kitchen. All Traditional meals are from recipes passed down from my Mother and prepared by myself starting at the age of 14. We have a large Gluten Free menu with most of our favorites available GF so as to not exclude. If I was to say what we are well known for it would be our live Irish Music and classic food. What makes me proudest of Bunratty Tavern, it would be the people and families that we have met who have become really great friends and we would be happy to call family. One of the greatest joys is when a customer comes in and goes out of their way to introduce me to each and every one in their party. What I believe sets up apart from others is the fact that 75% of our staff have been with us since day 1, that in itself speaks volumes in the restaurant business and I believe that is one thing that our customers love – they get to know each and every one of our staff personally and celebrate any milestone reached alongside with us. Over the last 2 years some of our customers have suffered losses and we have visited their homes to help them out and the return is that they know they are with family when they are ready to come back – it’s a joy to see a recent Widower sit down with “friends” they have made here in Bunratty Tavern. Last thing I can say is that this is what makes us unique – Family
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
When speaking about Boston, the best thing I like is the diversity, the choices and the history. What I like least is the fact that most customers are transient so you don’t really get to know them – nor they you.
When I speak about Reading, the thing I really love is the sense of Community with local businesses all supporting each other and coming together when there is a cause. The sense of family is truly felt in our establishment. What I like least is the small mindedness of some old school members of the Town that object to something just because it’s new and untried. Our goal is to turn them round.
Contact Info:
- Address: 620 Main Street, Reading, MA 01867
- Website: www.BunrattyTavern.com
- Phone: 781 779 8245
- Email: Contact@BunrattyTavern.com
- Facebook: Facebook.com/BunrattyTavern
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