Pints set to pour at Erris institution again

At 92 years of age Eamon Munnelly is set to pull the first pint when his family’s pub re-opens on Friday.

There was shock and sadness when Erris institution, the High Chaparral in Geesala, was devastated by a blaze in February. The speed and ferocity of the fire was frightening and nothing inside the property survived.

There has been a public house on the footprint of the High Chaparral since the late 1800s and the Munnelly family has run the bar since 1949.

Ingenuity, hard work, and community spirit have combined to see the bar rise from the ashes in recent months.

Famed for its traditional music sessions, The High Chaparral is far more than a watering hole, it is a focal point for the community in Geesala and surrounding areas.

“Everything was destroyed in the fire. The only thing left standing was the old stone walls that would have been built over 100 years ago,” he said.

The indomitable spirit of the Munnelly family will see their pub return to their beloved village again.

Pints will be poured again on Friday evening ahead of the annual Geesala Festival.

The privilege of pulling the first pint will fall to Eamon. “It will be nice from him. It was tough for him watching the place burn down. He probably never thought he would see it again,” said John.

Fr James Cribbin will perform an official blessing of the premises.

“Everyone will be very welcome. It will be great to be up and running again. It was no good leaving it the way it was anyway. You had to be positive from day one,” said John.

He praised the efforts of all involved in the remarkable effort.

"We should be sending them up to Dublin to show them how to build the Children’s Hospital," quipped local councillor Gerry Coyle, who is a life-long friend of the Munnelly family.